The 7 Deadly Sins Of The Christmas Tree

[tabcom]

The 7 Deadly Sins Of The Christmas Tree

1. The first Christmas tree was found in the garden.
2. It is a form of idolatry.
3. It is closely associated with paganism.
4. Satan uses it as a force of evil.
5. The Bible doesn’t support its use.
6. The origin of Hanukkah threw the tree out of the temple.
7. When you put a clean thing with an unclean thing, you get dirty.

I would like to start the discussion by stating what apologetics is:

"Today the term "apologist" is colloquially applied in a general manner to include groups and individuals systematically promoting causes, justifying orthodoxies, or denying certain events, even of crimes." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologetics

In the spirit of Acts 26:2
"In regard to all the things of which I am, . . . I consider myself fortunate . . . . , that I am about to make my defense before you today;

defense - from the original greek word: Apologeomai.

1 Peter 3:15
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

defense - from the original greek word: Apologia

I haven't done Christmas since 2000. The intent of this topic is to share the information I've collected over the years.

 

[turnorburn]

Look at what I found..

In the Image of Christ
Colossians 3:8-11

“Christ-massâ€Â

“Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 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.†Jeremiah 10:1-4


It may come as a surprise to many that the origin of Christmas actually predates the birth of Jesus Christ by hundreds of years. Perhaps it comes as an even greater surprise that the origin of Christmas is rooted in heathen religions and beliefs, and not the Word of God. This is easily verified with just a little research, research that amazingly few are willing to do. Personally I have examined many encyclopedias, newspaper articles, the internet, and pagan as well as Christian sources. All the resources that I have studied trace the origin of Christmas back to heathen religions and beliefs well before the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Did you realize that no one knows on what day the Lord Jesus was born. You can search the Bible from cover to cover and you will not find from its pages what day the Lord Jesus was born. In fact the Bible tells us that the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night at the time the Lord Jesus was born indicating mild weather, certainly not the dead of winter (Luke 2:6-8). It was the Roman Catholic Church in the 4th century A.D. who chose December 25 as the day to celebrate the birth of Christ. It chose December 25 because it was the time that the heathen were celebrating Natalis Solis Invicti, the birthday of the Unconquerable Sun. Instead of condemning the idolatrous festivities and practices of the heathen, the Church of Rome absorbed them and “Christianized†them. Instead of celebrating the birth of the god’s of the heathen’s they now would celebrate the birth of Jesus. Instead of SUN worship they now would have SON worship. The Roman Catholic Church called December 25 “Christmas†which means, “the Mass of Christâ€Â. Almost all of the heathens customs and forms of celebrating were retained by the Church and given different meanings (see The Two Babylons, by Hislop). Thus the Roman Church allowed the heathen to continue their idolatrous ways under the guise of celebrating Christ’s birthday with the Church of Rome’s blessings.

Our opening text clearly exhorts, “Learn not the way of the heathenâ€Â. What is the way of the heathen here? They take a tree from the forest, they deck it with gold and silver, and they fasten so it doesn’t move. Sounds very much like the Christmas tree wouldn’t you agree? It amazes me that people calling themselves Christians take part in this without any indication from the Scriptures that it was preformed at Christ birth or afterwards. The Gospels, Acts, the Epistles and Revelation give neither example nor teaching on which to found such a celebration. Does no one wonder where, then, such celebrations came from? Why, unbelievers do the same thing with no regard to Christ at all! How can Christians supposedly be worshiping Christ through this, while at the same time unbelievers are celebrating with no reverence to HIM at all? You must ask yourself in the light of our Scripture, who’s right and who’s wrong? After all what does a pine tree have to do with Christ birth? Nowhere in the Scriptures do we read of God’s people embracing the way of the heathen with God’s blessing. Whenever God’s people adopt the ways of the heathen it eventually brings God’s judgment upon them. In the book of Colossians we read the following warning.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.†Colossians 2:8

Friends, one of Satan’s greatest tools of deceptions is his ability to transform himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-15). It is by this means that he seeks to deceive the Christian. Christmas is apparently one of his greatest deceptions ever, since it is so widely accepted and defended, and people seem to be held captive by it in spite of its lack of Biblical support. This is a strange phenomenon! Surely if Christmas was of God it would easily stand the test of Scripture, but it does not. With just a little research an unbiased person who is a seeker of truth would clearly see that Christmas is a lie based upon “the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.†This is abundantly clear when one learns that Christmas and almost all of its trimmings predate the birth of Christ by hundreds of years. We would do well to heed the warning of Colossians 2:8 and BEWARE least we become SPOILED by the vain deceit of Christmas.

John 4:24 says “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.†How can we even pretended to honor and worship God in participating in Christmas when it is based in vain deceit rather than truth? John 4:24 says that God MUST be worshiped in spirit and TRUTH. There is no room for compromise here, no matter how well meaning or sincere one may be in their participation in Christmas. Where is the Biblical doctrine of Christmas celebrating? There is none! Christmas fails the test of Scripture.

Many professing Christians have already been spoiled by the vain deceit of Christmas. This is evidenced by the fact that they refuse to allow God’s Word to judge their participation in the idolatrous practices of Christmas. On this subject, apparently, the Bible does not matter. It appears that their minds are made up and they don’t want to be confused by the facts. To them Christmas is like a sacred cow, not to be touched or criticized by anyone, even the Lord! How sad and grieved the Lord must be over this. Not once in the Scriptures do we find the Lord reflecting on HIS birth. Instead we find HIM consistently pointing to the future to the salvation that He would secure for human beings by dying on the cross as the perfect Substitute. No, we don’t find a commandment to remember HIS birth but we do find the commandment to remember HIS death (1Cor.11:24-26). How much better we would be if we would heed the will of God that we find in the book of Romans.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.†Romans 12:1-2

It is God’s will and command that we do not conform to this world. Christmas is “after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christâ€Â, and therefore we should obey the Scriptures and not conform to the world’s customs. You see, when one participates in Christmas he is doing just the opposite of what God commands in this verse. Instead of conforming to this world God wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This happens as we study the scriptures and learn from them how to live our lives in a way that pleases God. God wants us to be able to prove what His GOOD and ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT will is. We should do this so that we can apply God’s will to our lives and live in a way that is more pleasing to Him, because we love Him who first loved us.

Dear friend my purpose in writing these words is not to cause trouble with you. I know first hand how controversial this subject is with those that have a strong traditional and emotional attachment to the practices of Christmas, especially those who regard Christmas as an untouchable matter, like a sacred cow. I write knowing that there are those that want to honor God in all their ways and are not aware of the deceptions of Christmas. I pray that God will use these words to enlighten them to the dangers of Christmas and move them to a closer walk with God. Christianity is about following Christ (Luke 9:23), and to do that the Lord said one must “deny self, and take up his cross...†not his Christmastree!


Also read the articles "Truth" and “Convictions or Conveniences?â€Âfor more on Christmas.

Visit our web site for more articles and information at http://www.nlbchapel.org

New Life Bible Chapel

turnorburn

 

[St Francis]

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

 

[MISFIT]

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

I'll 2nd that...

 

[Gabe]

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

I'll 2nd that...

MERRY CHRISTMAS :D

[attachment=0:309kieph]ChristmasTree.gif[/attachment:309kieph]

 

[MISFIT]

Well thats 3 looks like the tree is liked.

 

[Free]

tabcom,

First, welcome the forums!

Second, point 5 is completely irrelevant.

 

[Poster]

I don't see the problem.

I'm not a Christian, first off.

If someone wants to put a tree with presents underneath, it does not follow that they are praying to that tree.

If I put up a statue of Rocky Balboa, that doesn't mean I pray to the Italian Stallion.

 

[St Francis]

I don't see the problem.

I'm not a Christian, first off.

If someone wants to put a tree with presents underneath, it does not follow that they are praying to that tree.

If I put up a statue of Rocky Balboa, that doesn't mean I pray to the Italian Stallion.

Well! For someone who's not a Christiasn, you seem to have hit the nail right on the head.

 

[MISFIT]

I don't see the problem.

I'm not a Christian, first off.

If someone wants to put a tree with presents underneath, it does not follow that they are praying to that tree.

If I put up a statue of Rocky Balboa, that doesn't mean I pray to the Italian Stallion.

Well! For someone who's not a Christiasn, you seem to have hit the nail right on the head.

I agree

 

[Veritas]

I'm pretty sure the Christmas tree has Christian origins anyways...

The Christmas Tree
Despite many historians' attempts to link the Christmas tree to an ancient pagan practice, it is actually Christian in origin. The Christmas tree goes back to the medieval German mystery plays. One of the most popular "mysteries" was the Paradise play, representing the creation of man, the sin of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Paradise. It usually closed with the consoling promise of the coming of the Savior with reference to His Incarnation. These plays were performed in the open, on the large squares in front of churches, or inside the house of God. The Garden of Eden was indicated by a fir tree hung with apples. It represented both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Discernment of Good and Evil, which stood in the center of Paradise. (Gen 2:9)

The Tree in the Home
When the pageant was performed in church, the Paradeisbaum (tree of Paradise) was surrounded by lighted candles and inside the ring of lights, the play was acted. After the suppression of the mystery plays in the churches, the only symbolic object of the play found its way into the homes of the faithful and the Christmas tree became a symbol of the Savior. Following this symbolism, in the 15th century the custom developed into the decorating of the Paradise Tree, already bearing apples, with small white wafers representing the Holy Eucharist. These wafers were later replaced by little pieces of pastry cut in the shapes of stars, angels, hearts, flowers, and bells. And finally, other cookies were introduced bearing the shapes of men, birds, roosters and other animals. The first known use of the fir tree as a Christmas tree is found in a description written by a German traveller visiting Strasbourg in 1605. He tells of trees being planted in rooms, and he notes that they were ornamented with roses of colored paper, apples, tinsel, sugar and cookies. (LaVern Rippley, Of German Ways, Barnes and Noble Books, 1970)

Until the 17th century the Christbaum (as the tree is called in German) had no lights. The Christmas candles, generally used in medieval times, were placed on the Christmas pyramid made of graduated wooden shelves. As time went on, the tree replaced the pyramid in its function of representing Christ as the Light of the world. The candles and glittering decorations were transferred from the pyramid to the tree. A reminder of the origin of the Christmas tree may still be found in sections of Bavaria where fir branches and little trees, decorated with lights, apples and tinsel, are still called Paradeis. (Francis X. Weisner, 1952, The Christmas Book. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1952)

Although the Christmas tree is now the principal symbol of Christmas in America, it was by no means in general use in American families until late in the 19th century. German immigrants most likely set up the first Christmas trees in America as early as 1710, however. Later, during the Revolutionary War, Hessian soldiers were responsible for disseminating the practice throughout the Eastern seaboard.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, pioneer families who settled in areas where evergreen trees were scarce made Christmas trees out of bare branches painted green or wrapped with green paper or cloth. Sometimes a "tree" would be made by drilling holes in a broomstick and inserting branches of cedar or juniper into it. Often the only Christmas tree in the community would be in the Church or in the school. In the absence of a Christmas tree, presents were often hung by ribbons from a decorated clothesline strung across the corner of a room.

http://www.wf-f.org/04-4-Traditions.html

 

[Gabe]

I'm pretty sure the Christmas tree has Christian origins anyways...

The Christmas Tree
Despite many historians' attempts to link the Christmas tree to an ancient pagan practice, it is actually Christian in origin. The Christmas tree goes back to the medieval German mystery plays. One of the most popular "mysteries" was the Paradise play, representing the creation of man, the sin of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Paradise. It usually closed with the consoling promise of the coming of the Savior with reference to His Incarnation. These plays were performed in the open, on the large squares in front of churches, or inside the house of God. The Garden of Eden was indicated by a fir tree hung with apples. It represented both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Discernment of Good and Evil, which stood in the center of Paradise. (Gen 2:9)

The Tree in the Home
When the pageant was performed in church, the Paradeisbaum (tree of Paradise) was surrounded by lighted candles and inside the ring of lights, the play was acted. After the suppression of the mystery plays in the churches, the only symbolic object of the play found its way into the homes of the faithful and the Christmas tree became a symbol of the Savior. Following this symbolism, in the 15th century the custom developed into the decorating of the Paradise Tree, already bearing apples, with small white wafers representing the Holy Eucharist. These wafers were later replaced by little pieces of pastry cut in the shapes of stars, angels, hearts, flowers, and bells. And finally, other cookies were introduced bearing the shapes of men, birds, roosters and other animals. The first known use of the fir tree as a Christmas tree is found in a description written by a German traveller visiting Strasbourg in 1605. He tells of trees being planted in rooms, and he notes that they were ornamented with roses of colored paper, apples, tinsel, sugar and cookies. (LaVern Rippley, Of German Ways, Barnes and Noble Books, 1970)

Until the 17th century the Christbaum (as the tree is called in German) had no lights. The Christmas candles, generally used in medieval times, were placed on the Christmas pyramid made of graduated wooden shelves. As time went on, the tree replaced the pyramid in its function of representing Christ as the Light of the world. The candles and glittering decorations were transferred from the pyramid to the tree. A reminder of the origin of the Christmas tree may still be found in sections of Bavaria where fir branches and little trees, decorated with lights, apples and tinsel, are still called Paradeis. (Francis X. Weisner, 1952, The Christmas Book. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1952)

Although the Christmas tree is now the principal symbol of Christmas in America, it was by no means in general use in American families until late in the 19th century. German immigrants most likely set up the first Christmas trees in America as early as 1710, however. Later, during the Revolutionary War, Hessian soldiers were responsible for disseminating the practice throughout the Eastern seaboard.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, pioneer families who settled in areas where evergreen trees were scarce made Christmas trees out of bare branches painted green or wrapped with green paper or cloth. Sometimes a "tree" would be made by drilling holes in a broomstick and inserting branches of cedar or juniper into it. Often the only Christmas tree in the community would be in the Church or in the school. In the absence of a Christmas tree, presents were often hung by ribbons from a decorated clothesline strung across the corner of a room.

http://www.wf-f.org/04-4-Traditions.html

I wouldn't be suprised. It seems that everyone is out to prove anything remotely Christian is actually pagan in origin; including Christ's virgin birth. It's a shame.

 

[St Francis]

....It seems that everyone is out to prove anything remotely Christian is actually pagan in origin; including Christ's virgin birth. It's a shame.

Those whacky Fundies. They're a hoot.

 

[Poster]

Well! For someone who's not a Christiasn, you seem to have hit the nail right on the head.

Once again, it was the ROMANS who ... oh, wait, never mind.

Thanks!

 

[Rick W]

Just a thought.
Noah and his family were the only 8 humans left after the flood. Does that mean all pagans came from Noah?


:D

 

[John]

Just a thought.
Noah and his family were the only 8 humans left after the flood. Does that mean all pagans came from Noah?


:D

Noah and or his family ;)

 

[cyberjosh]

1. I don't treat a christmas tree as an object of worship, thus it serves a different purpose for me
2. I do not get a christmas tree for participation in a pagan ritual, I get it merely for decoration, to place some presents under, and provide a handy place for the cat to hide under
3. What ever percieved evil or power thought to be present with the tree has no power over me, since greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Superstition and even real spirits have no true power over a child of God.
4. I like the smell of pine, so it serves a practical purpose as an air freshener and a source of olfactory pleasure
5. Idolatry is a matter of the heart, if it is not a conscious action nor directed toward an object to which we dedicate a portion of our heart & soul it is not idolatry. I do not bow at, kiss, hug, sing to, or dote on my Christmas tree. If I decorate the tree it is to adorn it for eye pleasure. It's always nice too to put up the little brother or sister's home-made ornaments with crayons and other arts and crafts. It's a matter of cuteness and pleasantness for me, not a matter of worship.
6. I don't get upset when the tree dies (as I might be if my object of worship died), except that I have to vacuum up all the needles afterward.

And finally:

7. When you put a clean thing with an unclean thing, you get dirty.

Well, if we actually do get a real tree (hasn't happened in several years - fake trees have become more prevalent), I do tend to get a little sap on my hands when moving the tree around. Hard stuff to get off your skin.... ;)

*Tongue in cheek nature of some comments is intentional*

~Josh

 

[Rick W]

Anyone here study Jewish customs?
I can't say that I have to any extent but there were indeed customs among God's chosen people. Christ used these customs to make a point in many parts of the Gospel. The analogy He used, His return for His bride, is based totally on Jewish custom.
Thing is, I can't find that custom anywhere in the bible except through what Christ taught. Was that custom condemned simply because it wasn't in The Law? No. They were God's chosen with the liberty to follow customs of their choosing.
The miracle of the wine at the wedding ceremony was based on another custom of serving wine at such events. Christ did not condemn the practice but through His miracle the guests honored their hosts.
How many other customs did Christ use to make a point? I'm quite sure if I were better versed in Jewish customs this post would be too long for forum etiquette.
We celebrate the birth of Christ, an event others longed to see, to witness... in fact they based their faith on it. We have as much liberty in Christ to follow customs as the ancient Jews had that were not condemned by our Lord and Savior even though those customs were not in their scripture, not in The Law.
I hardly believe the customs we follow today will be condemned when the entire point is to celebrate the birth of Christ, God's gift to the world, His only begotten Son. For if custom is to be condemned then I would have to ask why Christ himself used customs followed by God's chosen to teach them the will of God and not condemn them for it.

 

[Rick W]

Just a thought.
Noah and his family were the only 8 humans left after the flood. Does that mean all pagans came from Noah?


:D

Noah and or his family ;)

I was just wondering who borrowed from who? Pagans knew deity existed. How? Possibly through something they heard? They knew of sacrifice. Again, how? There are many parallels between what people call pagan custom and what we see going on in ancient biblical texts. But who's paralleling who?
Sure, the pagans, those who chose not to follow God the Father, twisted and wrenched things to their own thoughts and will. But where did the pagans pick up these beliefs in the first place? Somewhere along the line someone strayed from God, to follow their own feelings and desires apart from God's will since Noah and his family knew God.

Again,

 

[St Francis]

Well! For someone who's not a Christiasn, you seem to have hit the nail right on the head.

Once again, it was the ROMANS who ... oh, wait, never mind.

Thanks!

Wise choice.