Is the Christmas tree bad?

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shrimp

shrimp

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2011
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My father-in-law is a pastor and before my husband and I got married, we had to iron out traditions. Well, in their home it is not ok to have a Christmas tree or evergreen wreaths because of a chapter in Isaiah says so. At first I had no problems with it, but now, I miss the smell and cheer Christmas decorations bring to a home including the Christmas tree and evergreen wreaths.
So, I guess my Question is does God really think evergreens are bad for decor?
 
When we use an item serving our LORD in the manner that the heathen do it is an abomination to God. We are not to serve our God, the God of Heaven and Earth as the heathen serve there gods.


Learn not the way of the heathen​

Jeremiah 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 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.
3 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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Deuteronomy 12:30-32 (KJV)
30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (KJV)
9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
The heathen have always used these things to serve there gods. Do we want to serve our God in the same manner? Decorating our homes with a tree and such things as we serve our God. The heathen do these things. Do you wish to be as one of them and be abhored by the God of Heaven and Earth.

We are to serve the God of Heaven and Earth in Spirit not in a phisical manner as the heathens serve there gods.

Luke 9:62 (KJV)
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

If you have put your hand to the plough to live and serve God. Never look back.

Luke 17:32 (KJV)
32 Remember Lot's wife.

Genesis 19:17 (KJV)
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Genesis 19:26 (KJV)
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Lot's wife desired the life she knew wanting to return and it consumed and destroyed her.

Flee that wicked city and never desire to return again lest thou be consumed.
It is not worth losing your eternal life over.

Matthew 16:24-26 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

What is the price of your soul? Is it worth more than a christmas tree, a christmas wreath, easter eggs, and candy, all the holiday decorations you can put up??

What is the worth of your soul.
This is what your soul is worth.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Your soul is worth our LORD giving up his life. What can compare to that in value?

Will you sell your soul for the pleasures of this present world??

I sure hope not. :(

Turn to Christ in this matter for he is our strenght and our refuge.
 
shrimp said:
My father-in-law is a pastor and before my husband and I got married, we had to iron out traditions. Well, in their home it is not ok to have a Christmas tree or evergreen wreaths because of a chapter in Isaiah says so. At first I had no problems with it, but now, I miss the smell and cheer Christmas decorations bring to a home including the Christmas tree and evergreen wreaths.
So, I guess my Question is does God really think evergreens are bad for decor?
Click to expand...

Hey, Miss Shrimp! :) I'm curious what chapter in Isaiah you're referring to....I'm not aware of any that forbid greenery in the home.

God did make evergreens...He made them to smell nice, and look pretty. I don't see having some in your house as any different from having a vase of flowers on your table....as long as you realize that they have no special powers and you merely have them so that you can appreciate His creation. I like to think of nature as God's art, and artists like to have their work admired. :)
 
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Did you know the Egyptians had some god, forget exactly who now, and its Christmas day and Im going to bed in min, so cant be bothered to look it up, but basically they did an indentical cermony to our communion so does that mean our communion which the Lord told us to do is evil?
 
Snackersmom:
The passage you are desiring to see is in my earlier post. I wil post it here as well for you to see.

Jeremiah 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 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.
3 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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

This is the beloved christmas tree that every one wants in there home this time of year to celebrate and serve God in the same way heatens serve there gods.

No there is nothing wrong with having living plants in your house to enjoy but we do not decorate them and use them to serve God in any way. I have plants in my home but I do not serve God with them and I do not bring one into my home at a special time of year to celebrate a so called holy day to God.

That is what is wrong with this beloved christmas tree the world clammors for to have in there homes, right now.

Does a person realize they are doing as the heathen by bringing it into there home and decorating and then as they bring gifts they bow themselves before it placing these gift before it, as the heathen does in there worship.

That is very wrong in the eyes of God.

God commands not to take any part in it.
Learn not the way of the heathen!
 
gracethroughfaith is right about the reference I apologize for saying it was in Isaiah. That was a "my bad" moment.
 
gracethroughfaith said:
Snackersmom:
The passage you are desiring to see is in my earlier post. I wil post it here as well for you to see.

Jeremiah 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 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.
3 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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

This is the beloved christmas tree that every one wants in there home this time of year to celebrate and serve God in the same way heatens serve there gods.

No there is nothing wrong with having living plants in your house to enjoy but we do not decorate them and use them to serve God in any way. I have plants in my home but I do not serve God with them and I do not bring one into my home at a special time of year to celebrate a so called holy day to God.

That is what is wrong with this beloved christmas tree the world clammors for to have in there homes, right now.

Does a person realize they are doing as the heathen by bringing it into there home and decorating and then as they bring gifts they bow themselves before it placing these gift before it, as the heathen does in there worship.

That is very wrong in the eyes of God.

God commands not to take any part in it.
Learn not the way of the heathen!
Click to expand...

Ok. :) The op mentioned Isaiah, and your verse was from Jeremiah, so I didn't notice it at first. I read through Jeremiah 10, and it seems to me that the verses you mentioned were speaking of idolatry, which we know is wrong. If one feels that they can't have a Christmas tree without idolizing it, then of course they shouldn't have one. ;)

I think it has more to do with heart attitude....if you read on to verse 9, one might think that it's evil to wear blue jeans or purple shirts, but in reality the passage is referring to the fact that blue and purple were very costly dyes back in those times....they were seen as a prideful status symbol. But I can wear blue and purple without condemnation, because it no longer carries significance or high price.

For the record, I do not put up a Christmas tree. But I do think that verse has more to do with heart attitude than decoration. :)
 
I honestly believe it really depends where your heart is. I think a lot of things aren't a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of where your heart is when you decide to do what you're doing.
 
i do not belive that any tree in itself is inherently bad. As ll things are designed and created by god. I believe your issue lies in the reasoning behind having the tree in your house.
 
gracethroughfaith said:
Snackersmom:
The passage you are desiring to see is in my earlier post. I wil post it here as well for you to see.

Jeremiah 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 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.
3 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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

This is the beloved christmas tree that every one wants in there home this time of year to celebrate and serve God in the same way heatens serve there gods.

No there is nothing wrong with having living plants in your house to enjoy but we do not decorate them and use them to serve God in any way. I have plants in my home but I do not serve God with them and I do not bring one into my home at a special time of year to celebrate a so called holy day to God.

That is what is wrong with this beloved christmas tree the world clammors for to have in there homes, right now.

Does a person realize they are doing as the heathen by bringing it into there home and decorating and then as they bring gifts they bow themselves before it placing these gift before it, as the heathen does in there worship.

That is very wrong in the eyes of God.

God commands not to take any part in it.
Learn not the way of the heathen!
Click to expand...

Snackersmom said:
Ok. :) The op mentioned Isaiah, and your verse was from Jeremiah, so I didn't notice it at first. I read through Jeremiah 10, and it seems to me that the verses you mentioned were speaking of idolatry, which we know is wrong. If one feels that they can't have a Christmas tree without idolizing it, then of course they shouldn't have one. ;)

I think it has more to do with heart attitude....if you read on to verse 9, one might think that it's evil to wear blue jeans or purple shirts, but in reality the passage is referring to the fact that blue and purple were very costly dyes back in those times....they were seen as a prideful status symbol. But I can wear blue and purple without condemnation, because it no longer carries significance or high price.

For the record, I do not put up a Christmas tree. But I do think that verse has more to do with heart attitude than decoration. :)
Click to expand...


You pose an interesting question gracethroughfaith and it's one I will continue to meditate on. But I have to go with what Snackersmom and the others say about the intent of the heart. The Jews were prone to turning to idols as the heathen did, not just propping them up in their homes but worshipping them. And I think that's what Jeremiah was talking about, don't take in the worship of pagan idols. And that falls back on the intent of the heart thing, does your object elicite your worship, or is it an aid in your worshipping God? I understand what you say about God not wanting sloppy seconds, but if your heart is first and fast on the Lord I don't think embracing icons of the heart fall in that category.

But it is an important message to share - Don't let your trappings become that which you worship.

Merry Christmas all!
 
Nothing wrong with a tree they grow everywhere ;) Oh and God made them ;)
 
shrimp, Happy Christmas to you! ♥

I agree with Snackersmom...it's all about the heart motive.

We have two trees this year..one for the living room, and a huge one for the family room.
We have the grace to do that, and we don't worship them or anything silly like that.
They turn our eyes toward the Lord, for each time we see them,
we are reminded of the Lord Jesus, and that He took on a flesh and blood body like ours,
and became our perfect High Priest. ♥

However, you are married, and should do as your husband says.
But I think it would be okay for you to look outdoors to an evergreen tree,
and whisper a prayer of thanks to the Lord.
-ellie
 
the practice described in jeremiah is specifically the making of an asherah pole...it has nothing whatsoever to do with christmas trees...

don't be fooled by sloppy exegesis...there is nothing wrong with christmas trees!
 
wow sounds like hes a fanatic the type of person to demonzie everything that isnt in the Bible. There is NOTHING wrong with christmas trees i hate those types of people the ones who are so blind they are unaware of all else that moves eveything they do every single thing they gotta spend hours and hours figuring out if its in the bible or not.

You cant live like that.......no one can. Its called being in a glass bubble.

and if his father forced you to change a lot of things before you got married quite honestly you should have found someone else because God made us to be unique and if you just blindly give into what a fantatic tells you then you are a losing a part of who you are.

but hey whatever floats your boat.
 
Matthew
37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’b 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Follow Jesus in your heart. If you have a tree in your home with a star or an angel on top of it. Most everyone knows what it is for and why. Keep it simple and in LOVE. We can dig up old scripture and arange it to make anything look bad. It is all about where your HEART and MIND are.

Kefa52
 
Our town has it all decorated with lights everywhere , i wish theyd just keep it all year long , its beautiful and brings in the joy of this season
people really enjoy giving, just as a constance reminder of Jesus birth and life. Heaven is made up of gold and every beautiful imaginable thing
and more
 
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