Debate:Is it wrong to have a Christmas tree?

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Wow. What a question. I have never thought there was a controversy in this area -- as far as I know, nobody is out to ban the use of Christmas trees. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Madstar (talk)

My understanding is that Christmas trees were originally pagan symbols derived from pagan German rituals and/or roman Dionysian cults.. As such I was originally raised with the belief (from our pastor) that Christmas trees in effect are a latter day symbolic "golden calf." Our church therefore discouraged, but didn't prohibit, their use (along with Santa Claus, being unconnected to the true meaning of the holiday). As a child, my family abstained. These days, with my own family, I have taken up the practice (though still have mixed feelings about it). My wife likes it and grew up with it, and my kids seem to like it too. I've discussed it with our current pastor and he, like you, never knew about any controversy. He and my wife agree that so long as we do not see them as idols of religious devotion, there's no problem, whatever our pagan ancestors may have thought. Jesus Saves 19:22, 27 November 2007 (EST)

My understanding is that Christmas trees were originally brought into the house when people were couped up together during winter, and the house generally began to stink-up pretty bad, so the fragrant pine acted as a sort of an air freshner. It didn't have much to do with pagan ritual. As North Europeans were Christianized, the long winter nights were the perfect intimate family setting where parents could teach children about (a) the humanity of Jesus, i.e. nativity, and (b) the gospel.

None of this stuff is shrouded in mystery, or indiscernible. An explanation can usually be found at your fingertips. Rob Smith 17:31, 2 December 2007 (EST)

I certainly do not seek to gainsay your opinion of Christmas trees, but I would note that your explanation of them, while plausible, is not a theory I've heard before. At least a quick scan of the internet seems to provide more support for the "pagan ritual" explanation than I see for the "air freshener" interpretation. In fact, there is the old Jeremiah 10:2-5 proscription:

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.

While I know they weren't talking about Christmas trees per se, they were talking about a heathen custom very much akin to it, and suggesting that the righteous avoid the practice. It's not an evil ritual, to be sure, and as I noted it's one my own family practices, but I do think there's legitimate cause to be circumspect.Jesus Saves 16:17, 14 December 2007 (EST)

Jeremiah 10:2-5 is a restatement of Isaiah 8:2, "they worship the work of their own hands," and the Jeremiah passage likewise refers to a carved image. Rob Smith 16:32, 14 December 2007 (EST)

Even if true (and my pastor growing up might nbot have agreed, as he quoted on the literal words of Jeremiah often enough), it still seems that the fully adorned Christmas tree is an occasion where Christians adopted the ways of heathens somewhere along the road, as it's not a biblical tradition. Jesus Saves 16:44, 14 December 2007 (EST)

No, I think a Christmas tree is a great addition to Christmas, and it adds to the fun of the celebration. --Mssb57 16:49, 14 December 2007 (EST)

• Christians adopted the ways of heathens somewhere along the road, as it's not a biblical tradition

• Purim is not a biblical tradition, either. Does that make it heathen? Rob Smith 17:36, 14 December 2007 (EST)

Purim might well be a heathen tradition, if its roots are in pagan worship practices (specifically the pagan celebration of the start of Spring). That said you do have a point, not all extra-biblical traditions are necessarily heathen by definition. My statement was colored by the fact that tree/shrub decorating ceremonies at or near the winter solstice were prominent and many believe that they are the direct antecedent of the Christmas tree tradition. It is possible and unobjectionable for Christians to invent a new tradition, from sources other than the Bible, so long as the souirce is not heathen rituals, like plant/nature-worship ceremonies. In the case of the Christmas tree, I think, it is undeniable that the tradition itself has no connection with the true meaning of the holiday. Even if it's nopt blasphemous (and I can see how it might be), I believe a case can be made that might be better to eliminate such secular symbols of Christmas and focus on the holiday's true core, the love Christ holds for each of us. Jesus Saves 17:55, 14 December 2007 (EST)

Isn't Purim the Jewish holiday based on the doings of Esther and Mordekai in the Book of Esther? The Book of Esther is in the Old Testament. So it is biblical. SkipJohnson 20:16, 16 January 2008 (EST)

The Romans started the celebration of Christmas on December 25 in approimately 300 AD which was 200 years after the Bible was written. Peter, John, Paul and the early disciples did not start the celebration Christmas. In order to have the proper interpretation of the Bible we must leave Christmas out of the Bible. The Romans combined celebrations. Thus Christmas is a mixture of pagan and Christian worship. If Christians are to follow the teachings of the Bible, then Christmas is called into question. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by BJE (talk)

REPLY: In Colossians 2:16-17, the Apostle Paul declared, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. DanH 15:39, 25 December 2007 (EST)

Paul also wrote at 2 Corinthians 6:17 "So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor." (Amplified) and at 1 Corinthians 10:21 "You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the demons' cup. You cannot partake of the Lord's table and the demons' table." ('"Amplified) As noted, the history of the Christmas tree is rife with pagan connections.

A Christmas Tree is only what one makes it. Unless one worships the tree, there is not a problem.--JArneal 14:52, 18 May 2008 (EDT)