December is here, and in a great many heads, this month brings thoughts of giving gifts. Yet, there are many people today who have serious concerns regarding the manner in which we celebrate Christ's birth. Christmas is a celebration of which many Christians are usually divided over. Let's take a few moments to consider some of the more commonly asked questions about Christmas. We have to avoid the attitude that says "Don't bother me with the facts, I have made up my mind already."
Are Christmas trees a form of idolatry?? Interestingly, this question arises out of a pronouncement made by the prophet Jeremiah: "This is what the LORD says...the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it will not totter" (Jeremiah 10:3-4).
While at first blush this may seem to be referring to our custom of decorating Christmas trees, a closer examination of Jeremiah 10 reveals that God is in reality condemning the creation of permanent wooden idols carved from the trees of the forest. In the very next verse (vs. 5) God ridicules these idols because they cannot walk or talk.
Historically the practice of decorating Christmas trees originated in Germany some two thousand years after Jeremiah made his pronouncement. It was the result of combining two distinctly different Christian symbols.
The first was a "Paradise tree." It was decorated with apples to symbolize the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The second was a triangular shelf that contained Christmas figurines and was adorned by the star representing the one followed by the Magi. By the 16th century, these two Christian symbols had been merged into the modern-day Christmas tree.
Certainly, it is preposterous to claim that because one has a Christmas tree in the home he or she is worshipping a tree any more than having a cross in a church building means Christians worship the cross! All the days and months of the year belong to God first and foremost since He created them.
The light which God created was corrupted by pagans because they made it an end in and of itself, yet Jesus refers to Himself as the "Light of the world" (John 8:12). Fire which was used and corrupted by paganism is also used of God (Hebrews 12:29). What I mean to say is that when we take what God has made and use it to glorify Him, we are doing nothing wrong, unlike paganism which moves away from the Creator.
Not only are Christmas trees spiritually symbolic, but they represent a wonderful witnessing opportunity as well. In fact, the next time a nonbelieving neighbor brings home a Christmas tree, you might want to ask him or her if they know where the practice of decorating Christmas trees originated. Who knows! The Holy Spirit may well allow you to enjoy one of the greatest Christmas gifts of all -- the gift of seeing someone you care about receive everlasting life.
Many times we are guilty of denouncing things as "pagan" without careful consideration. The days of the week are all of pagan derivation. Monday (Moon day), Thursday (Thor's day), Saturday (Saturn's day) and Sunday (day of the sun) are still terms that we still use today but it does not follow that we worship these pagan deities.
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Are Christmas trees a form of idolatry?? Interestingly, this question arises out of a pronouncement made by the prophet Jeremiah: "This is what the LORD says...the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it will not totter" (Jeremiah 10:3-4).
While at first blush this may seem to be referring to our custom of decorating Christmas trees, a closer examination of Jeremiah 10 reveals that God is in reality condemning the creation of permanent wooden idols carved from the trees of the forest. In the very next verse (vs. 5) God ridicules these idols because they cannot walk or talk.
Historically the practice of decorating Christmas trees originated in Germany some two thousand years after Jeremiah made his pronouncement. It was the result of combining two distinctly different Christian symbols.
The first was a "Paradise tree." It was decorated with apples to symbolize the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The second was a triangular shelf that contained Christmas figurines and was adorned by the star representing the one followed by the Magi. By the 16th century, these two Christian symbols had been merged into the modern-day Christmas tree.
Certainly, it is preposterous to claim that because one has a Christmas tree in the home he or she is worshipping a tree any more than having a cross in a church building means Christians worship the cross! All the days and months of the year belong to God first and foremost since He created them.
The light which God created was corrupted by pagans because they made it an end in and of itself, yet Jesus refers to Himself as the "Light of the world" (John 8:12). Fire which was used and corrupted by paganism is also used of God (Hebrews 12:29). What I mean to say is that when we take what God has made and use it to glorify Him, we are doing nothing wrong, unlike paganism which moves away from the Creator.
Not only are Christmas trees spiritually symbolic, but they represent a wonderful witnessing opportunity as well. In fact, the next time a nonbelieving neighbor brings home a Christmas tree, you might want to ask him or her if they know where the practice of decorating Christmas trees originated. Who knows! The Holy Spirit may well allow you to enjoy one of the greatest Christmas gifts of all -- the gift of seeing someone you care about receive everlasting life.
Many times we are guilty of denouncing things as "pagan" without careful consideration. The days of the week are all of pagan derivation. Monday (Moon day), Thursday (Thor's day), Saturday (Saturn's day) and Sunday (day of the sun) are still terms that we still use today but it does not follow that we worship these pagan deities.
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year -
and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.
and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.
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