Did you know that Christmas tress are idols?
At least, that is what I was once told by a member of my church.
Several of us had gathered together on a Saturday afternoon in early December to decorate the church for Christmas. We put up lights, tinsel, red and green ribbon, poinsettias, and the crowning glory… a tall, beautiful Christmas tree – right up in front of the sanctuary to the left of the platform. We used all white lights and wrapped it with silver and gold ribbon.
The next day, after the Sunday service concluded, one of the men in the church pulled me aside and said, “Pastor, I cannot attend a church that erects idols in the sanctuary.”
I just stared at him. I had no clue what he was talking about.
He pulled out his Bible and turned to Jeremiah 10:3-4 and had me read it. It says this:
For the customs of the people are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers”
So that it will not topple.
“You see?” he said. “You have erected a Christmas tree idol in the church sanctuary. Until you remove it, I and my family will not be back.”
Being a young pastor at a small church, I didn’t want to lose any family over such a things as a Christmas tree, and so I called a few of the elders that afternoon, and we decided that while we could not get rid of the tree (another family had donated it to the church and they would be offended if we threw it out), we could move it into the foyer. I called the man who had pointed out Jeremiah 10:3-4 to me, and while he wasn’t happy that we were keeping the pagan Christmas Tree idol, he said that moving it would be good enough, and he and his family would be back in church the next Sunday.
Ironically, he and his family had a little Christmas party over at their house that year. We went. I remember walking into his house and seeing all the normal Christmas decorations. He had the lights, the tinsel, the ribbon… even some ornaments which he had hung on the wall, but no Christmas tree. Cookies were on the counter. Christmas music played on the stereo. There were even Christmas presents piled in a corner. But no Christmas tree. I remember thinking that it seemed a bit hypocritical…
He and his family left the church a few months later over something else. It had to do with the worship team this time. (And I lost the worship team as well… Ah, the joys of a small church.) I remember thinking after he left, “I sure wish I had left that tree in the sanctuary. In fact, I wish I had added a few more Christmas trees!”
Christmas Tree Idolatry
So are Christmas trees idolatrous? If you put up a Christmas tree in your house, or in your church building, are you engaging in pagan idolatry?
The answer is no… unless of course you are praying to the tree and worshiping it… in which there might be some Christmas tree idolatry going on. And no, singing “Oh Christmas Tree” does not count as praying to the tree or worshiping it…
Look, I fully admit that there was a pagan practice of chopping down trees and erecting them in public spaces or homes and decorating them with lights and gold and silver. This is a common practice among many cultures that goes back thousands of years and is part of their cultural and religious celebrations at this time of year.
I don’t think that is exactly what Jeremiah 10:3-4 is talking about, however. If you look at the surrounding context, it appears that after the tree is cut down, it is carved into a shape and then gold and silver is hammered onto it. What Jeremiah is talking about, it seems, may be the actual crafting of an idol, not necessarily the decorating of a tree itself.
But regardless, even IF Jeremiah 10:3-4 is talking about a practice that is almost identical to our tradition of putting up a Christmas tree, it is still not idol worship.
Why not? Because in the minds and practice of most Christians, the Christmas tree does not represent a pagan holiday, but represents a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas tree reminds us of how the Light of the World arrived to bring hope to those in darkness. The Christmas tree reminds us how shepherds and wise men brought gifts to honor His birth, and how Jesus Himself brings the free gift of eternal life to all the world. The Christmas tree even reminds us of how Jesus died upon a tree, taking our curse upon Himself, so that we might become the righteousness of God.
Though it is true that the Christmas tree may have once been a pagan symbol, it is a symbol that has been redeemed in Jesus. Just as Jesus redeems us, so also, Jesus has redeemed the Christmas tree. For most people, the Christmas tree is no longer an idol, but is a reminder of what Jesus did for us in coming to this earth as a humble babe.
Jesus is in the business of redemption. Take the cross as another example of a “tree” that has been redeemed. At the time of Jesus, the cross was a symbol of brutal torture and Roman military power. Nobody would dream of erecting a cross in their house or wearing one around their neck. But Jesus redeemed it! When people see a cross today, nobody thinks of brutal Roman torture. They think of Jesus.
The Christmas tree is the same. Though it used to be (and still is in some places) a symbol of pagan idolatry, the Christmas tree has been redeemed by Jesus and we can put one up in our houses and in our church buildings as a way of celebrating the birth of Jesus and all that He accomplished for us through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Christmas trees have been redeemed by Jesus, just like you and me and everything else Jesus touches.
So Merry Christmas! I hope your Christmas tree is especially beautiful this year.
P.S. I wrote a short eBook on this subject…. you can get it here.
Interesting. We have never had a Christmas tree – we couldn’t find any biblical rationale for it that we could give to our (then) young children. Gifts? Easy, in giving (home made) gifts to every other member of the family, the kids were giving something to Jesus for his birthday. Christmas dinner is Jesus’ birthday party, and so on. But a tree? No thanks.
I respect your decision. However, I am a bit confused. You say you can’t find biblical rational for the Christmas tree? There is not a ‘biblical rationale’ for TV’s, IPads, medicine or turkey’s for thanksgiving but I bet you have all of these and devout countless hours to them.
Why are they an exception?
A Christmas tree is displayed for a month as festive decoration while TV’s and other devices are displayed year round and even hung on walls.
I have a problem with neither.
To each his own I guess.
Yep. I don’t mind if people don’t have trees, as long as they don’t condemn those of us who do.
Ipads, and tvs are merely tools that most of us use daily, like soap, and toilet paper. The scriptures teach spiritual persons about the spiritual, in which anything pertaining to the worship of our Savior is spoken to. The use of toilet paper, and soap are not, nor do they need to be, for most of us. Asherah poles (christmas trees), on the other hand, are supposedly erected for a special time of worship, and celebration of our Savior. How is it that He gets pagan symbolism for His special days? Because we enjoy family traditions more than we love Him! (I had to face this! At one time I loved my family, and our traditions more than I loved my Savior! I feared man more than I feared God!) And these traditions were passed down to us from satan himself! The word, “Christmas”, please correct me if I am wrong, has nothing to do with our Savior either, since He is our Messiah. And He never instituted any sort of “mass” either! Even if He were rightly called the “Christ”, at the very best, saying “Merry Christmas!” is the same as saying, “Merry death sacrifice of Messiah!” How many things like this can one gloss over? What is merry about the torturous death of our Savior? I realize that the topic here is ‘christmas trees’, but all of these things go together, and there is a clear pattern here. Everything associated with this “holiday” that is supposedly all done for Him, if you purport to love your Savior, has to be overlooked, glossed over, and/or explained away somehow, because none of it has it’s beginning in anything that He has told us, which would make it by faith if He had, but instead, is almost entirely pagan in origin! So, here come the thick books that say, “anything that you do can be worship if you just mean for it to be”. If one were worshiping Buddha, then that would be true. But we are not! We are worshiping the One that says obedience to Him is perfect love, and those that love Him will seek out His perfect will, hoping to perform it!
If my wife were to throw a birthday party for me, she would never bring in things for the party that she knew that I hated. She would go out of her way to be sensitive to me! We must think that our Savior has very broad shoulders, and that He will accept anything that we offer to Him. We bring out all of the symbols that represent adulterous, idolatrous, pagan sin, and use those for his party? Why not offer Him what is verifiable as being something that He likes in the first place? Because this is really about us, if one were to be honest. He has to sit in the corner, and keep His mouth shut while satan claus, and every worldly, fleshly, sensual, greedy spirit is paraded about in His Name. We do him the “honor” of tackin’ His Name on the whole thing! Greedy worldliness, along with satanic mocking of our Savior’s suffering has somehow become the trimmings for what we claim is a celebration of the Savior’ birth. (It is our responsibility to know the meanings of the words that we speak! No idle words are to come from our mouths!) But according to what I am reading here, if you mean well, then that is supposed to make everything alright, “so please, please, please don’t ever stop and take a look at what you are doing regarding these trees! Don’t ever question these traditions whatever you do! That would be so silly!” But it is not alright! And it’s not silly at all to examine what you are doing with these trees! And He’s not within a million miles of the whole shebang!
The gospel separates! But, if your heart is in this world, you will not suffer that separation. Instead, you will mock, and condemn those that are obediently suffering that separation out of love for their Savior. Our Savior is coming back soon, and will destroy all those mockers – front row, back row, choir, or even in the pulpit, if that’s where they live! May we find our way to reverencing the Father, and the Son with all of our hearts while there is still time!
I and my family experience deep intimacy with Jesus and a closeness to the cross during the Christmas season, and one part of that is the Christmas trees we set up and decorate in our home.
If that doesn’t happen for you, then don’t set one up. I don’t care.
But Jesus, His life, His teaching, His sacrifice, and our modeling of that to all around us is central to our celebration of Christmas — trees and all!
I thought that you did care, since your initial comments here implied that those of us that have forsaken, and continue to forsake such things, have done so for no reason whatsoever. If, as I believe that the Word contends, that our Savior would have nothing to do with these things were He in our shoes, then you find yourself in an odd position for one of His followers, even telling Him that He had got it wrong! It is, unfortunately, nothing new to Him!
He came to save our souls – minds, wills, emotions. If my emotions are still moved by things in this world, then my emotions still need some saving! Salvation is when my emotions match up with our Savior’s emotions, not the other way around.
I see your point. I guess I just want people to think it through (as you do). If people put up a tree (or don’t put one up) without thinking about why, then hopefully I can challenge them to think about why they put one up (or don’t). It sounds like you want the same thing. Faith seeking understanding!
I am staying in faith as best as I know how! It is not faith for me to do things that look very much like things that Israel was told not to do, like these trees! I don’t want anything to come between me, and Them! I want to do what They say! I have no other motivation, or strategy for living! And I would very much like it if there was nothing coming between us either! I want to be in agreement with all of the brethren because our Savior wants that, and He, and the Father deserve that! And the Spirit is attempting to bring it about in us! And if we are led by the Spirit, it will happen! We will come to agree on everything, to the praise of the Father, and the Son!
Pagan sin? A Christmas tree is a decoration, not an Idol and was never worshiped. That just sounds ridiculous. A Christmas tree is No more of an idol or worshiped than the trees that are cut down to make frames for pictures or any other decoration you have in your house. Some dimwit trying to make Christmas a dirty holiday is just evil and vile. No we don’t know when Jesus birthday is, so tradionally 1 day out of the year most of the world shuts down so we can rejoice in the birth of Jesus with people, friends and extended family, people we don’t get to celebrate Jesus birth with everyday. Jesus is about love and unity. Shame on those of you who are trying to make Christmas a bad thing.
I read your reply: AMEN!!! You explain this with such Grace, Power, Truth and Love. Many Christians (myself include) have fell so short of so much of God’s word. Because we don’t do like the student at Berea as recorded in the Books of Acts 17:11 – searched the scriptures daily, – also
II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Many don’t want to know the truth and or don’t know it, nor wish to teach it in fear of losing their members and or insulting them.
What is Jesus going to say about that??? Woe !!!
Jesus is the lamb of God . Lambs are born in the early spring that is why the Shepards were out in the fields protecting the new borns lambs . Santa or I mean Satan was probably created Dec. 25th he is a great counterfeiter he wants our worship he wants to get your praise as the false Christ. He deceived Adam and Eve with a tree . He tends to stick with what works for him . If you can’t see a Christmas tree as being worshiped your eyes are blind . People lay their gifts before it. It takes center stage in their homes . It steals glory that belongs only to Jesus. Jesus has no beginning or end if he intended for us to celebrate his birthday he himself would have told us in his word when it was.
My reply to the comment is for: DAVIDNFRAN 😀
Thank you, DavidnFran for your very insightful post! I am in complete agreement with your well thought out logic. It saddens me that so many Christians are unwilling to break with the traditions and festivities — such as the placing of a clearly pagan symbol in their homes — because they somehow *need* the decorations to remind them of Christ and help them celebrate His birth. If the Christmas tree truly symbolized Christ’s birth, then why do the majority of non-Christians — even atheists — put up a tree as well? Bottom line is the Christmas tree has its origins in paganism, has currently become a symbol of capitalism (with all those presents under the tree, none of which are being given to Christ), and is also embraced by secularism. I believe it hurts the Savior’s heart to see what was originally a pagan symbol being used to “celebrate” His birth.
“I am holy so you be holy”
I agree whole heartedly with you. Scriptures supports it and history does to. I asked for truth in this matter and the Holy Spirit walked me through our Fathers word and then history. Thank you, Jesus, for this freedom.
DavidnFran, you are so right on, I’m keeping a copy of your post as a lesson to share with others.
Thank you for saying these things you are very correct lord our god Jesus Christ is the gift and of coarse Satan has made this day his own very worldly celebration I use to celebrate Christmas without knowing what I was doing god forgive us for they do not know for what they do I now fast on that day and pray or do you think if the tree caught on fire is that the burning bush as a sign from god
Why are you trying to damn Treeless above? this whole article is wrong THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS IDOL WORSHIP PERIOD and you don’t have to actually bow down to it in order for it to be idol worship just putting up the thing decorating it and having it in your house looking at it admiring it because we all do look at the tree and see how pretty it is that is a form of idol worship so just stop trying to look for excuses for your idol worship it is wrong. And it is a sin and anybody who puts up the Christmas tree will not make heaven
Wow. Condemning someone to hell because they put up a Christmas tree? I bet you’re a real joy to be around during Christmas.
I AM NOT CONDEMING anybody to hell for this, the bible is. It says it’s idolatry and abomination, tell me can anyone make heaven worshipping another God?
Do you have a perfect understanding of God?
If you answer “No” then you are not worshipping the true God, but a God that is partly true and partly false. Therefore, according to your logic, you too are going to hell.
If you answer “Yes” then you arrogantly believe that you yourself are god (for you must know everything to know God perfectly), which then also means that according to your logic, you too are going to hell.
I answer “No” to the question, and then thank God for grace.
I also realize that the Bible verses you are referring to do not mean what you think they mean…
This is a strawman argument and ridiculous response to a very rational discussion.
Christmas trees are pagen, regardless of your opinion or whether or not they’ve
potentially been redeemed.
Other things or worldly traditions are also pagen, what during these times receives your attention?
How much time did you spend setting up the tree, decorating it, etc? How much time did you spend praying, in the word, at Advent services? What’s the theme of your decorating, inside or outside your home- Christmas or Christ’s birth?
Btw, Jesus was born in early September.
Saturnalia, a pagen, sacrificial, druken, orgy festival is Dec 25th.
Think about that….
Ultimately it’s between you and the Lord.
Asherah reference of wooden poles images or trees that represented the canaaite goddess asherah. There was to be no compromise with pagan idolatry regardless of what we feel
Deuteronomy 16:21 thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
It is a well-known fact that Christ was not born on December
the 25th, so why do we then celebrate the birth of our L-rd on this day? Church
history teaches us that it was Rome that instituted this feast on this day; it
is syncretism at best, and the date was not an arbitrary date chosen out of a
hat. The month and date also coincide with the birth of the sun; it is also a well-known
fact that the date was chosen to draw pagans into the worship of Christ.
Regardless of whether or not the tree was a carved idol, or a tree decorated,
the Word of the L-rd spoken by Jeremiah states, “ 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” (Jer 10:2 KJV).
I agree that Jesus was not born on December 25, but we celebrate His birth on that day due to “syncretism.” I prefer to call it redemption, and my book, “Christmas Redemption” explains more.
Jeremy, I decided to download your book and I must say that you have done a lot of good research; while I intend to save my comments until I have finished your book, I must confess that when I learned these things in Seminary it totally changed the way I felt about Christmas.
Shabbat Shalom
Lou
I wish I had footnoted more. Sigh.
Excellent again, thanks Jeremy!
I love Bible.org. I will go check out that link. Thanks!
Ephesians 4:8 (AKJV)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Revelation 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Jesus does not redeem things, He redeems people. To redeem something is to purchase it back. What was the currency that Jesus used to purchase back the Christmas tree? Jesus purchased back our souls with His blood. Is the writer suggesting that Jesus also purchased back the Christmas tree with His blood? People often throw around Biblical terms like “redeemed” without fully considering their meaning. I would suggest that this is the case here. 1 Peter 1:17-20 says:
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:18 forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (AKJV).
This passage confirms that Jesus redeemed us by His blood, and then challenges us to consider ourselves sojourners here on Earth since we have been redeemed. There is no Biblical passage that confirms the fact that Jesus redeems things. There are, however, several passages (in addition to the one above) that confirm that Jesus and His followers are not of this world and should not try to be a part of it. These verses contradict the idea of Jesus redeeming worldly ideas and practices.
John 15:18-19 (AKJV)
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Romans 12:2
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.
Beside all of these passages (and more that I did not list), there are also many writings from the 1st century Church fathers available for our study. The early Church did not celebrate the birth of Jesus. They only celebrated His resurrection. The first recorded celebration of Christmas was in A.D. 336. I agree that it was foolish for a person to complain about a Christmas tree in the Church and then host a Christmas party with all the other decorations except the tree. Such a person is still participating in the ancient pagan celebration of Yule, but just omitting certain parts like the tree.
Something to Consider:
People debate over the identity of Mystery Babylon in the book of Revelation (there are many theories). Some say that she is the Catholic Church, others have other opinions. What if her identity is any form of Christian religion which also intermingles with the world? Revelation 18:4-5 says, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities (AKJV).” For God to call His people out of her implies that His people are in her. This is why I identify her as any form of Christian religion which also intermingles with the world. Verse 11 says, “And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: (AKJV)” and then the chapter goes on to list the merchandise. Ask yourself, how much merchandise is sold through the celebration of Christmas, Easter and all the other commercialized Christian holidays and practices? Verses 15-19 go on to say:
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate (AKJV).
Then the section which I find to me the most sobering is verses 21-23 which say:
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
The millstone mentioned here sounds very similar to Matthew 18:6 which says, “ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea (AKJV).” This verse is also mentioned in Luke 17:2 and Mark 9:42. The music mentioned in Revelation 18:21-23 (found in Mystery Babylon) sounds like the musical worship found in the Church of today which focuses more on self than on God, and is a breeding ground for pride and division. In addition, Christian musical worship is another large source of commerce for today’s merchants. The fact that “the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee” proves that these things were once in her (Mystery Babylon). What better way to describe a Christian Church that has become intermingled with the world. God calls His true followers out of her, removes His Voice from her and then judges her.
To whom did Jesus “pay” His blood? Was it God? Did God demand payment from Jesus for human sin? If so, it was God who was holding humanity ransom, in which case, God sent Jesus to die to pay off God? That makes no sense.
Then how about Satan? Did Jesus pay off Satan with His blood? Talk about a troublesome idea! God bows to Satan’s power and negotiates with Satan. Yikes.
Or simply take the classic example of redemption in the Bible – the redemption of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Did Pharaoh get paid? If so, who paid him and with what?
Bottom line is that your entire premise just doesn’t fit the biblical imagery or teaching about redemption.
Furthermore, how can God redeem humans but not redeem the things that make us human? Humans are not just bags of meat walking around with a spirit inside. We are a strange mixture of memories, traditions, ideas, culture, relationships, etc. If God is going to fully redeem a person, these other things that make us human must also be redeemed, for they are all part of the human package.
I have already recorded a podcast which sort of deals with this very issue. It gets published on Monday, Nov. 15, if you want to give it a listen.
The prefix “re” is defined by Dictionary.com as: a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with themeaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition, or with themeaning “back” or “backward” to indicate withdrawal or backward motion:
When speaking of the term “redeem” in the Biblical sense, we must remember that this term suggests returning something (or someone) to its (or his/her) original state of ownership or freedom. If we look again at the 1 Peter 1:17-20 it says:
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:18 forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (AKJV).
The word redeemed here is the Greek word lytroo (Strong’s G3084). The Strong’s definition for this word is: to ransom (literally or figuratively):—redeem. I will cover the Hebrew term in more detail later on, but even the concept of kinsmen redeemer returns the woman back to a place of belonging within the family of her in-laws after her 1st husband dies. To say that Jesus redeemed the Christmas tree implies that the tree was originally either owned by Him or free. Then it was taken ransom by the pagan beliefs. Now it has been redeemed by Jesus. This is not true. The concept was originally pagan. Saying that Jesus sanctified the Christmas tree would be a more accurate way to express what you are trying to say.
If you do not believe that Jesus “paid” for our sin with His blood, then our theological differences extend way beyond Christmas trees.
1 Corinthians 6:20
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (AKJV).”
1 Corinthians 7:23
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men (AKJV).”
The list of scriptures goes on, but I will just list these for lack of time. Paul goes on in the book of Romans to explain that this payment was propitiation. Romans 3:23-25 says, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (AKJV).” The term “propitiation” here comes from the Greek word hilasterion (Strong’s G2435) which Strong’s defines as: an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple):—mercyseat, propitiation.
In the case of Jesus, He was an atoning victim that paid the penalty for our sin with His blood. You ask, “To whom did Jesus pay His blood?” Romans 6:18-23 says:
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (AKJV).
The “whom” that Jesus paid to redeem us is “sin.” Verse 23 (just above) says, “For the wages of sin is death; (AKJV).” God did not wish for us to become slaves to sin. However, He did grant Adam and Eve the free will to choose between sin and obedience unto righteousness. Now, through Jesus payment for our sin, we have the ability to freely choose to remain in slavery to sin or to accept His gift or righteous.
Satan is also a slave to sin. Revelation 20:10 says that he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. I am not proposing that God bows to Satan’s power. I am proposing (as the Bible does) that God is just. He grants free will to all, but then we justly receive the consequence for our decision. However, John 3:16 says, “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 (AKJV).” Jesus did not pay His blood to God for us, God offered Jesus’ blood for our payment to justly expunge the consequence of our sin. Jesus, willingly accepted these terms as He said, “not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42 AKJV).” Hebrews 12:2 also says, “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (AKJV).”
The concept of God redeeming Israel from slavery in Egypt is explained by God in Exodus 6:2-8 which says:
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: 3 and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord (AKJV).
The word redeem used in verse 6 comes from the Hebrew word gaal (Strong’s H1350) which Strong’s defines as: a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.):—× in any wise, × at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.
In this case, God acted as Israel’s revenger since Egypt did not rightfully own the Israelites. They had come to live in Egypt during the time of Joseph as a free people. Egypt decided to forcibly take possession of them and turn them into slaves. As I have mentioned before, God is just. In the case of our justification, sin had a rightful claim over us and the wedges of sin had to be paid. In the case of the Exodus, Egypt did not have a rightful claim over the Israelites. Therefore, God acted as a revenger and forced Egypt to release the Israelites through the use of plagues.
Next you ask, “how can God redeem humans but not redeem the things that make us human?” The answer to that is simple. He makes us born again. John 3:1-8 says:
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2 the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (AKJV).
God clearly does not redeem the things that make us human (which the Bible calls the flesh). Jesus said here “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” When we become born again (or born of the Spirit) we no longer live according to the flesh. Romans 8:12-14 says, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (AKJV).” That is why the Bible contains so many passages about us being strangers in this world, not of this world, citizens of Heaven and so on (all the scriptures I mentioned in my original post – and then some). A son of man is human. A son of God is a heavenly being with heavenly citizenship. We are currently still trapped in our earthly bodies, but we look forward to the day when this will change. That is why the Bible says that we should live as if we are not of this world. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 says:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, 52in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sinis the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (AKJV).
I think that these scriptures do clearly portray the Biblical teaching about redemption. They also clearly support my premise. I enjoy logical thought, rationalizing and debate. However, in the case of teaching the Word of God, human logic and rationalizing do not take precedence over Scripture. We must accurately use the Bible as a foundation for every principle we teach, otherwise we are not teaching the Word of God. With years of the “word of man” floating around our heads it is easy to accidently reference that instead of the Bible. I would ask you to consider studying what the true “Biblical imagery or teaching about redemption” is while using the Bible as your reference. I ask this not in a spirit of contention, but love for a brother in Christ and those whom he teaches the Word to.
I apologize for my typographical error in section 11 (not all the spacing results in true paragraphs) where I say “Now, through Jesus payment for our sin, we have the ability to freely choose to remain in slavery to sin or to accept His gift or righteous.” I meant to say, “Now through Jesus’ payment for our sin, we have the ability to freely choose to remain in slavery to sin or to accept His gift of righteousness.”
Ray,
Your comments are way too long to respond to properly. So even though I have reasonable and biblical responses to everything you write, my comment would end up being longer than yours, and then I suspect you would respond with an even longer comment, and pretty soon, this entire page is filled with one long comment after another which nobody wants to read.
So please keep your comments short, concise, and to the point.
If you want to write long comments such as the two you have posted here, the best place to do that is on a blog of your own. So your readers can have context, start your post this way: “Over at *INSERT PAGE LINK HERE* Jeremy Myers make the most outlandish claim. He says this: *INSERT QUOTE HERE.* Here is why I think he is wrong and should be avoided: *INSERT YOUR LONG COMMENT HERE*.”
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
You’re mistaken when you say no one wants to read… it’s actually very good to read this discussion but it’s a bit of a cop out to say, you could reply, but you won’t. This reader of yours has taken the time to engage in theological discussion and it’s long because he is citing the bible… isn’t that what you should do to found your arguments? I haven’t seen you reference scripture in any of your replies.
Well from my understanding that verse is simple talking about making Idols out of trees. Not literally taking a tree and putting it up but taking the wood from a tree, forming it in the form of some god or deity and adoring it with silver and gold, the literal act of building an idol.
What does A tree have to do with Jesus? What is the difference if its carved or not its not the point! how does it honor god in any way? Its childish and god said for us to put childish thing away. It has nothing to do with being a weak christian or A strong christian. Its dumb! First we have to lie to our children about Santa. And then we have to go into debt to give gifts . Xmas is everything god told us as Christians not to be . liers, covet gifts and not a good Steward of our finances. It goes beyond carved or not carved. A person can make anything into A idol a figment of the mind; fantasy any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion:
What does a tree have to do with Jesus? Well, he died on a tree for one. He is a tree that came from the root of Jesse. The lights on the tree symbolize Jesus as the light of the world. The gifts under the tree remind us of the gifts we have from God in Jesus Christ. The tree is a reminder of creativity, beauty, joy, celebration, life, and happiness, all of which we have in Jesus Christ. I could go on and on. The bottom line is that Christmas is everything God told us as Christians that we should be. Generous. Joyful. Creative. Lights.
Sadly, the biggest idol in the world today is the idol of religion, where people make all sorts of prohibitions about what we can and cannot do and then judge and condemn those who see it differently. If you don’t want to have a tree, fine! (Though I feel sad for your kids). But don’t condemn and accuse people who want to have a tree.
You witness against yourself,
If bowing to a tree isn’t idolatry then nothing is, oh getting on your knees in a praying position, prostrate yourself before a tree
What would a non Christian passer by think if they saw you doing that act of worship or even worse what if a true Christ follower saw you worship a tree like a that, do you think the apostles that died for Christ would bow down and worship with you
Your trying to justify your actions and convince us to agree with you which we don’t not in this manner
However as long as Jesus is getting the glory and his name is being praise and spread throughout all the earth then your not against us
The important thing is having Jesus as your Lord and Savior we’re all sinners and none of us should judge another however I would say your standing on theological thin ice
You’d have a harder time justifying why you worship on Sunday s violating the 4th commandment something else to research
This comment for me if full of God’s love and grace. Thank you.
I don’ t think I can agree with that. Even though the cross is now a symbol of Christianity, every time I see it I think of torture and it is unsettling to me. I hate that is a symbol of Christianity. It wasn’t in New Testament times. I would rather it be the fish symbol, which was used to show people the way to early Christian meeting places ( and I won’t say church either, lol!
A sinful man will not be reproved but findeth an excuse according to his will. – Ecclesiasticus 32:17
Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the YHWH.” – Exodus 32:5
The Most High cares little about our intentions or whether a tradition like Christmas reminds us of HIM. Aaron was making a feast to the Lord after building a golden calf. God was furious. How different is the Christmas Tree? There is no difference. It’s a tradition of man; a way of the world. Love not the world nor the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you.
December 25 was chosen because that was the day of the rebirth of the sun, having died and stood still for three days following the winter solstice. The pagans worship their gods on this day. God says “Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods.”- Deut 12:4. Worship HIM in spirit and truth. There is nothing true about Christmas.
Excellent information.
The Christmas tree is a idolatry and a pagan worship 100% you claim that its to do with Jesus. Its not even in the bible that we should even celebrate Jesus birthday. This was chosen by the same people that killed him the Romans.
When Constantine in power Pope Julius made this official.
So what was being done before this ? it was pagan worship going all the way back to nimrod. The most high though christ would ever accept this day. So the nimrod stick (christmas tree) has nothing to do with christ because, this was going on before christ was born stated in Jeremiah 10. People wake up and do your research. Do not follow man but use your own judgement. Man will find any excuse to do as he pleases
You will be judged for this
Shalawam
My family and I do not celebrate ANY holidays. The Bible clearly states not to add or take away… and no where does it say to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween etc etc. Actually… a lot of these holidays were instituted by the Catholic church (a false religion) and I refuse to commit religious adultery. My kids are strong and stand up to their teachers and anyone who asks and says they don’t celebrate any holidays. Traditions are meant to be broken, and traditions are definitely condemned in the Bible many times. The Christmas Tree is very idolatrous and evil… as is the whole holiday!
You know that “do not add and take away” was in regards to the book of Revelations. I know you are referring to Revelations 22:18. You are most likely Jehovah’s Witness who is cultic because they don’t believe in God (the trinity). I am not Catholic but are you seriously going to tell me for the last 2,000 years that Jesus brought his word so men could mess it up from the beginning causing everyone thereafter to go to hell? and the truth randomly came 1,800 years later by Charles Russel?
The Christmas Tree is not idolatrous unless YOU regard it to be. In Leviticus what makes the items Holy is that they are made, regarded, and treated as Holy in the tent of meeting. They were in Holy reverence’s made for God otherwise the furniture is just regular furniture. A tree is a decoration regarded by some as a symbol for Christ and for secularists as a tradition. Regardless, people are not going to hell for commemorating ANY holidays. The Bible never says NOT to commemorate holidays, this lie should not be spread.
I totally agree
Wow peeps, nothing can separate us from the Love of God. A tree, !
What does the bible say about if we think wrong thoughts, or call someone a fool.
We are called as believers to Love!, this does not look like Love. We will all one day stand before God and give a count of our actions.
I’m just glad for all of my sin, Jesus shed his blood to forgive me. We are called if we believe, to Love and encourage each other. Not kill each other with our mouth.
To piggyback on your post:
Trees and poles, in themselves, are not graven objects. However, they were considered graven when they were used as sacred trees or poles to honor the Canaanite fertility goddess Asherim (Jeremiah 10:3-4; 17:2; Exodus 23:24; 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3; 2 Chronicles 24:18)
It’s seems a little confusing when the scripture in Jeremiah 10: 2-5 believe talking about the cutting down of a tree and decorating it. So now you’re saying it okay that it symbolize the Birth of Jesus and it’s okay to have one inside of your home or Church. So wish is True it can’t be both, I do understand what idol means worshipping something other than God. I’m going to have to pray about this one and let the Holy Spirit lead and guide me because don’t to be in error when it comes to the things of God. God bless you and your Ministry Amen, but I think it would send anyone to hell if they have received Jesus as their Personal Lord and Savior Amen. It’s definitely something that needs to be prayed about.
I take it you’ve never heard the story of nimrod and Osiris long before Christ birth
If you really knew what the ‘ Holly days’really are
If you really knew what His birthday really was
If you really knew who ‘ Satan’s claws’ is
If u knew the whole Gregorian calendar was pagan and all of the celebrations that we have come from babylon you would RUN THE OTHER WAY
Where in the Bible does it say or show an example of Jesus redeeming an idol?
Is this a joke? Christmas is not the birthday of our Lord. Being a pastor you should know that.
We had an inexpensive plastic tree one year and hung heavy glass ornaments my sister in law sent one to us each year. After decorating the tree, we sent out to eat and when we returned the tree had fallen over, was on the tile floor and half the ornaments were broken. The base of the tree had bent over from the heavy weights of the ornaments. This Bible verse says the tree was fastened so it would not topple. It’s futile work to cut down a tree that can stand by itself, decorate it and have to fasten it so it doesn’t fall down. This is the meaning of the bible verse.
the feast of trumpets is the birth of Jesus. so why did organized religion have to create a non biblical holiday for his birth when there is already one written in the bible… so in Jeremiah-Chapter-10 the tree is going against the word of God no matter what the non biblical churchs wants to say about it, the Church in the Bible is 2 or more people talking about the word of God and God adds us to his church… its not that building that made created with 3300 different Christian religions in the USA
What foolishness am I hearing? The christmas tree is redeemed by Jesus? Jeremiah tells you clearly, Learn not the way of the heathen, and they customs of erecting a tree is vain. Why do we want to practise pagan customs, and traditions? Get rid of the trees, and stop the idolatry. While you are at it stop celebrating a pagan holiday. Christian have tried to steal christmas plain and simple.
Jesus came to redeem us, not a tree!!
A Christmas tree shouldn’t be our focus at Christmas, but only Jesus should be the focal point!!
yes Jesus not the Christmas tree.
I find it very interesting that we speak for Jesus if anyone can show me in the Bible where Jesus redeemed an idol worship symbol and redeemed it acceptable in the church I will put up 50 trees in my house of course small trees. I don’t celebrate the idea of Christmas anymore as being associated with Jesus Christ birth because it has nothing to do with Jesus Christ birth, in one example the churches are closed on that day when they should be open with a beautiful message about the birth of Jesus things to be given to the needy feeding the hungry so on one of the most saddest days in our nation someone would have somewhere to go and be around people and not feeling lonely beautiful now that’s the Jesus message.
This is actually a really good point. The churches at best run a midnight service, that few attend. I’ve started to shun all things Christmas and all the things of this fallen world.
But I’m here because I knew about Nimrod and Osiris, and how this holiday was a way to rope Pagans in, by adopting some of their customs, like the tree. It’s sad. I admit that I genuinely miss the smell of a fresh tree in the house, as in the days of my youth, but I’ve only had one of my own twice, and that was about 20 years ago.
It’s the same with the trunk or treat tradition in churches that embraces a Satanic holiday where real life animal and human sacrifices take place. So many churches are fallen themselves, and I know firsthand that at least some churches are infiltrated and lead by Masons or Luciferians who do everything they can to draw us away from the actual word and works of the Lord.
what’s interesting about Christmas is that believers and none believers celebrate Christmas but it was the unbelievers celebration first somehow the church adopted it as a compromise sounds like the church in the Book of Revelation.
Geeze….. After reading all of the replies and options, I now know why people are scared of religion. I’m more confused now than I was when I asked if having a Christmas tree was a sin….
After 65 years of having had I Christmas tree I’m scared to death that I’ve just sentenced myself and my kids and grandkids to eternal damnation….
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Me too. We’ve always celebrated Christmas, was raised catholic and I’m recent years my mother has been born again and rejects all the pagan festivals. She celebrates only the feast days mentioned in the bible now. But, for me I am still trying to understand… I have an 18-month-old and I am torn between feeling guilty for not making Christmas a magical time like I experienced as a child and honouring my mum and hearing the logical and biblical arguments against it.
I think God meets us where we are and if it doesn’t feel right to you now, pray and repent and the Lord will listen 🙏
that is not true
Jesus came before the practice of Christmas tree, his life and death is remembered in his supper Matthew 26:26-30,
Acts 20:7
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
I have always thought of a Christmas tree as a celebration to Jesus , not an idol. That the top of the tree points to heaven Gods home and the angel or star are a homage to our Lord. Now in 2023 we can use artificial trees , which I do , using evergreens for wreaths and decoration.
you are actually worshiping that Christmas tree if you do sing o Christmas tree o Christmas tree open your eyes just because you don’t tack the tree down with hammers and nails of gold and silver you put tassels on it it’s the same thing it’s just not with hammers and nails also read Deuteronomy 16:21
when you present gifts to that tree I know it’s for somebody else but you’re kneeling down to that tree God is a jealous God .. the Bible says nothing about Christmas you also mentioned that it is a tradition read Colossians two as well it talks about traditions of men and laying them down pray for God to open your eyes
and you will see I can go on but I’m not here to argue
This story is crazy to me. the only proof you were presented was from the Bible and you chose to ignore it. I’m not surprised your flock is shrinking as a result of your leadership… infact if you read further in the same chapter Jeremiah 10 v 21 reads: 21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
It’s truly incredible to me how we have every answer in the Bible and our religious leadership won’t even abide it or heed any warning it includes. I wouldn’t attend your church either buddy. read the Bible, I’ll pray for you and your misled flock.
It’s Christmas Eve and I’ve been reflecting over a year on what the Christmas celebration actually means to believers of Jesus Christ. I’ve taken the time to read Jeremy’s article and every comment posted – and there have been compelling arguments from both sides.
There is one post that resonates with me the most: D.s comment on 12/22/2018 at 7:45pm. I’ll tell you why…
If I receive true knowledge about anything, I am freed of its opposite’s grip or clutch. For example, if I understand that God is love (1 Jo 4:8), I am freed from hatred’s grip and bondage because I know and understand what true love is.
Every believer who receives knowledge and understanding about anything spiritual, is to share, proclaim, teach, admonish and communicate that understanding to/with others who are also believers or disciples of Jesus Christ.
That’s where the love part comes in that D. referred to: we are to love one another where we’re at in knowledge — and show them a more excellent way in Christ. I do hope that we can teach and admonish one another in love; however, be warned that someone telling you truth may “hurt” at first but you’re thankful later that they did.
Tell me the truth; do it in love and leave the results to the Holy Spirit.
This commentary has emboldened my faith to reject the pagan traditions that do not honor God. To those who may not be where I am or share the same conviction — but who are adopted sons of the same Father (Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:6), I’ll lovingly teach them.
THE BIBLE SAID NOT TO DO IT SO HOW DO YOU GET AROUND THAT. WHEN IT COMES TO GODS WORD, OFFENDING SOMEONE SHOULD NOT BE YOUR FOCUS. WHERE DID HE RETRACT THIS COMMAND?
I have to agree, the tree is evergreen a sign of eternal life during the winter solstice, and the week of roman worship of saturnalia . this was never ordained by the early church founders, and Constantine co mingled into Christianity over 300 years after Christ death. along with several other pagan Christian holidays, such as Easter, never ordained in early Christian church.
I believe the modern Christian church errors gravely on these true pagan holidays rephrased as” Christian holidays”. the study of the foundations of the ancient pagan festivals would open the eyes of the blind, i.e, Kris Kringle – krampus (Germanic). easter the ancient Babylon queen goddess eoster, what do boiled eggs and rabbits have to do with the passover or resurrection, it is vain traditions that are passed down generations to generations . and the world blindly follows after these false gods and traditions of men.
They are unbiblical , and reworked pagan holidays instituted by the roman Catholic church.
zero biblical foundations
the study of the Jewish festivals would clarify this to all who profess Christianity.
I’ll have no part.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I agree since I did some RESEARCH!!! People ADOPTED a PAGAN CUSTOM and PUT JESUS upon it when Jeremiah CLEARLY says “THE CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE ARE VAIN.” In READING the scriptures, GOD has NEVER took onto “other customs” and put his name on it‼️ If Christmas is what makes you “FEEL” closer to JESUS, then you didn’t have JESUS to begin with! JOHN 4:22 TRUE WORSHIPPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT & IN TRUTH. So why the tree to “FEEL” CLOSE?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
By having the Christmas tree up, especially in church, your creating a mockery of God’s warning. Even if you are worshipping it. It’s like going to a witchcraft store, buying one of their decorations and then saying, “we don’t worship it the same way they do”.
It may be more modernized today, but so is every other source of witchcraft. It’s in today’s songs and music videos, even movies. By watching or participating in any part of it, you’re playing on the wrong side.
Remember when Peter was talking about not eating food that was offered up for evil? This is the same thing, but with inanimate objects.
God bless
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Horoscope on this website. This is obvious astrology worship. Pastor, I hope you pray for direction.