Monday Morning with Matt - Should I Celebrate Christmas and Use Christmas Trees?

Jeremiah 10:2–5 ESV

2 Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, 3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. 5 Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”

While it is true that Pagans in many eras did utilize various plants, palm fronds and evergreens to freshen their homes during the winter solstice, for many it was no different than those of us who today who decorate the interiors of our homes with various plants to recognize seasonal changes. Additionally, even though there are clear indications of the worship of false gods at this time of the year, many cultures also utilized the solstice (timing of the shortest day of the year) for the purpose marked out in Genesis 1:14 which was to let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days an years.

Though the pagans removed God’s full purpose, and we should not belittle that fact, the vast majority were using them in what could be an appropriate sense to know the passing of time and to mark out the proper changes of seasons.

The Christmas tree tradition today has no link whatsoever to Jeremiah chapter 10.

Some have linked it to Boniface (8th century) cutting down Thor’s oak (a pagan shrine) an in its place sprung up an evergreen (which represented Christ.

Most likely it was Christians in Germany during the 16th century who began to leave the pagan tradition of the Yule, as well as the more Christian “Paradise Tree” tradition who began to use decorated trees or decorated wooden pyramids to celebrate Christmas.

It has even traditionally been believed that Martin Luther, while walking home and composing a sermon during that evening stroll, saw the stars in the sky and attempted to duplicate this effect by adding candles to the Christmas trees.

The Question: “Should I celebrate Christmas and Have a Christmas Tree?”

The Answer: As a True Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit teaches through Paul in Romans 14 That you have CHRISTIAN LIBERTY in this matter...

Romans 14:5–6 ESV

5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

and again in

Romans 14:10–12 ESV

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 16:17–18 ESV

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

You should be CONVINCED (v. 5)

The Worship Should be CHRIST-CENTERED (v. 6)

You should not be CRITICAL and CONDEMNING (v. 10)

You should be CAREFUL about those who CAUSE CHAOS