Is it in the bible that you aren't suppose to decorate a christmas tree?

Question

My boyfriend keeps telling me that it's in the bible that it's a heathenist act to decorate a christmas tree, in your house, in gold and silver.

I've browsed through the bible and I searched on the internet, and I can't find nothing even close to that.

Does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks!

Answer 1

No, there's nothing in the Bible that talks against (or for) a Christmas tree. In the New Testament there's is the telling of Jesus' birth and later the gifts the wise men brought the young child, Jesus, in honor of His birth but it doesn't mention any other celebration around Christmas.

The celebration of Jesus' birth came later. From this site http://en.allexperts.com/q/Etymology-Meaning-Words-1474/Christmas.htm - "The word Christ stems from the Middle and Old English word Crist meaning the anointed one, the Lord's Anointed. It is borrowed from the Latin Christus and from the Greek Christos also meaning the anointed one. The Greek is a translation of Hebrew mashiah meaning anointed of the Lord or Messiah. In the word Christmas, the suffix mas evolves from the Old English word maesse meaning festival, feast day or mass."

Trees for Christmas came even later and were probably taken from the pagan celebration of Winter Solstice. Because that celebration concurred with the timing of Christmas (and Christian apostles/missionaries had gone to convert the pagans), the tree was incorporated. See http://www.firstchristmastree.com/ for information on the Christmas tree.

I would say it's probably the original pagan celebrations to which your boyfriend is referring. Some people refuse to put up trees at Christmas because they were used in pagan festivals.

I like them, because the "ever green" symbolizes eternal life to me!

***Addition: Jeremiah does say what the poster below says...to a degree..."Jer 10:2 Thus says the Lord: Learn not the way of the [heathen] nations and be not dismayed at the signs of the heavens, though they are dismayed at them,
Jer 10:3 For the customs and ordinances of the peoples are false, empty, and futile; it is but a tree which one cuts out of the forest [to make for himself a god], the work of the hands of the craftsman with the ax or other tool.
Jer 10:4 They deck [the idol] with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers so it will not fall apart or move around."

It is talking about carving an idol from a tree and covering it with silver and gold, putting it together with nails and hammer. It is NOT talking about a Christmas tree! Of course, the Old Testament - where Jeremiah is to be found - wouldn't say anything specifically about Christmas. The Old Covenant has prophecies concerning the birth of the Messiah, His death and resurrection and His sufferings, not about any celebration held in honor of His birth.

So, my opinion stands. Unless for some reason you are WORSHIPPING the Christmas tree instead of Jesus Whose birth Christmas celebrates, there is nothing wrong with this tradition.

Answer 2

The bible doesn't say that any thing is Christian. The word Christian is used only three times to describe people. There are descriptions in the bible of the Israelites using greenery - Lev 23:40 "Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days." Obviously in Palestine it would not be the same species of tree that we use. There is also the entry into Jerusalem where people strew the road with the branches of trees. However, the most likely origin for the Christmas tree is as a representation of the tree of life in the garden of Eden. There are clues to this firstly in it origins in Germany where it was decorated first with fruit but also there is a suggestion that it was the backdrop to a Christian mystery play. The second clue is that in the Greek Orthodox church, the ancient prayers before Christmas specifically refer to the tree of life "For the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin - in the cave. Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit;" Christmas tree = tree of life - in the bible.

Answer 3

The modern Christmas tree dates back to Victorian England (late 1800s) who got the idea from Prince Albert who was from Germany and put up a Christmas tree in the German tradition. I don't think that there is actually a verse that says "no Christmas trees with decorations" (ask you bf to show you the verse), but I do feel that we should remember Christmas as Jesus birthday firstly. The manmade trappings like the tree, egg nog, fruitcakes are fine but should take a backseat to remembering Jesus.

Answer 4

No mention of Christmas trees in the bible. There's something in there about 'the idols of the heathen are silver and gold', but unless you're planning to worship the tree, that does not apply.
Not even a mention of Christmas in the Bible, come to think of it. That term was applied to Christ's birth after the fact.

Answer 5

OK, your boyfriend is interpreting the bible and as such you have a right to interpret it as well. here is my feeling, Whay may cause one person to stumble in their faith and be considered sinful may not necessarily be so wrong for another person. I choose to look at the history of the tradition and choose my belief based on the idea it represents to me. After all, is a male gynocologist sinning when he helps a woman keep her body healthy. It's the intent, not the act. It's what's in your heart, not the action itself.

as for the history of the tree check out this website for historical info:

http://www.christmasarchives.com/trees.html

It will tell you how the first trees came to be. if it sounds against the teachings of Christ, feel free to do as your concience allows. I hang my decorations on the tree and feel no regrets every year.

Answer 6

It is not in the bible that you are not suppose to decorate a christmas tree and it also not in bible that you should decorate a christmas tree. A tree in your house has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus.

Answer 7

Your boyfriend is clueless. The Bible has to be read as lessons not facts. If you go word for word then it's okay to beat your wife.

But the tree is from a Pagan holiday retrofitted to fit Xmas.

Answer 8

HE IS ABSOLUTLY RIGHT. !! ALL THESE ANSWERS YOU HAVE HAVE NOT LOOKED UP THE VERSE IN THE BIBLE.
Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (KJV).

I USED TO BE CHRISTIAN. I CONVERTED TO ISLAM 2 YEARS AGO I AM 21. YOUR BOYFRIEND IS RIGHT. I BROUGHT UP THIS POINT TO MY CHRISTIAN RELATIVES AND THEY ARGUE THAT IF THEY ARENT WORSHIPPING THE TREE THEY CAN STILL HAVE IT AS DECOR. BUT I RESISTED TELLING THEM " WHAT IF I PUT A BUDDA OR A SATAN SYBOL IN MY HOUSE AS DECOR , IM NOT WORSHIPPING IT SO IT WOULD BE OK RIGHT?" BUT I CONTROLLED MYSELF. BECAUSE THE VERSE SAYS DO NOT EVEN BE LIKE THE HEATHEN. WHICH INCLUDES THE CUTTING AND DECORATING IT . EVEN IF YOU DONT WORSHIP IT YOU ARE STILL DOING AS THEY DID WITHOPUT THE WORSHIP PART SAME THING..

Answer 9

well no it's not true, u r posed to decorate a Christmas tree, to celebrate Christmas and stuff.

Answer 10

I've never heard of that.

They didn't have Christmas trees then though. Right?
Why would they mention the trees at all.

But, I guess its possible. Just why wouldn't it ever be preached and well known?