Christians: Why put a Christmas tree when it is explicitly repudiated by god himself?

Question

Jeremiah 10 10:2
This is what the Lord says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.
10:3
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
10:4
They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.
10:5
Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good."

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Hmm... might Christians be buying into Pagan beliefs?

Answer 1

Umm....yes the Christmas tree is infact a pagan tradition.

The original holiday was called Yule. Which is where we get the song from.

If you can read go and get your bible and compare what this guy posted in his question.

Don't be completely blind please. It is bad enough you adapt every part of the bible to suit your own life and do not live it word for word.

Answer 2

Reference in these passages was to Idols.
A Christmas tree is not an "Idol" that is worshiped, but a symbol - these are not the same thing.

Also, you are working with an American Standard translation of writings originally in Poetic Hebrew and Aramaic.
The entire Chapter was written in Scorn for the sins of the Jews and incorporated in the Hebrew Bible; later was added to the "old Testament" in the Christian Bible.

The passages were to make the statement of the difference between the Living God versus false gods and Idols.

In 2004, Pope John Paul stated:
The Christmas tree, John Paul said, is "an ancient custom that exalts the value of life," because the evergreen tree remains unchanged through the harshness of winter. When gifts are arranged under the tree, the Pope continue, it because a symbol of "the tree of life, a figure of Christ, God's greatest gift to all men."

Answer 3

If you'll look at it,the verse says 'and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.' does that sound like a Christmas tree to you ?
Not to mention:
''Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good."

Now,obviously trees can not walk,or speak,and any thinking person can see that.These verses are talking about craftsmen who carved idols for the people to worship,not Christmas trees with decorations.I might be wrong,but that's what it sounds like.Besides,some Christians choose not to celebrate Christmas anyway,because parts of it are pagan in origin.

Answer 4

I think you just answered your own question. Christians (and Jews) have been buying into Pagan beliefs for centuries. As a Christian, I first became aware of the passage you quoted from Jeremiah, almost 20 years ago. I haven't had a Christmas tree since. I still do celebrate the Holiday. But only as a "Christian" Holiday.
However, there are those too, who believe the Christmas tree IS exempt from the Jeremiah passage because it DOES symbolize St. Wilfred's tree that is blessed for the Christ child.

Good question!!

Answer 5

I'm a little confused here... where in all your Bible "research" does it speak out against Christmas Trees? Did you know that Christmas Trees are a symbol of life? Evergreen trees stay green and alive, even in winter... get it?
Your quotes are taken out of context. The first one is speaking out about the signs of the end of the world. The second one is talking about idol worship, the third one also is about idols, and also the last one... how is a Christmas Tree an idol? Your question makes no sense...

Answer 6

Christinaity is rooted in pagan beliefs. We celebrate Christmas because the pagans celebrated winter solstice and the Church considered it immoral and wanted it to make it holy. The evergreen trees were used to hang prisoners and criminals who had been tortured. It was a symbol of a horrible thing many years ago. Now it's adored by everyone because that was a long time ago.
"Patron trees (for example, the Irminsul, Thor's Oak and the figurative Yggdrasil) held special significance for the ancient Germanic tribes, appearing throughout historic accounts as sacred symbols and objects. Among early Germanic tribes the Yule tradition was celebrated by sacrificing male animals and slaves by suspending them on the branches of trees.[citation needed]

According to Adam of Bremen, in Scandinavia the pagan kings sacrificed nine males of each species at the sacred groves every ninth year.[citation needed] According to one legend, Saint Boniface attempted to introduce the idea of trinity to the pagan tribes using the cone-shaped evergreen trees because of their triangular appearance.


Dionysus in his Triumphant Return; behind the god, Victoria holds an evergreen.The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianization of the ancient pagan idea that the evergreen tree represents a celebration of the renewal of life."

Answer 7

Gees don't be a kill joy. Actually when Jesus came He set people free from the law. We may enjoy all the nice things of Christmas but our first thought is Christ. Christianity is not a lot of rules that you can't possibly follow. Its important to place Christ first, we do this by attending special church services, devotionals, and all that kind of stuff.

Answer 8

Only if you start worshipping the tree! The passage is about idol worship. Last time i checked only environmentalists worshipped trees. Wackos.

Answer 9

Yes this is done fom lack of knowledge of Gods Word.
Most people who think they are christians . Dont even begin to understand what it is. The Word of God says we are to repent,that means to stop sinning & follow what Gods Word says. These are the true followers who follow His Word!

Answer 10

these verses are talking about cutting down a tree, carving it into a shape and worshiping it as a god. its talking about idols not Christmas trees.