ARE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS/ORNAMENTS GODLY?

(THE CHRISTMAS TREE)

Part 1: The Introduction

Greetings Brethren,

Peace be unto you. Thanks be to Almighty God our Father for His son our Savior Christ Jesus and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Brethren they line up over night for days to buy games to play with. This they do in celebration of a season and for folly.

Peace and Love, Carl Patton a willing servant of Almighty God writing for the FreedomJournal November 20, 2006 in the year of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.

Beloved during the time the western world celebrates Christmas many people adorn their homes, yards etc. with Christmas decorations. Also public places and thoroughfares are also by custom and tradition decorated with various Christmas ornaments.

Meanwhile in the home the most visible and standard object of decoration has been the Christmas tree. Therefore is the display of Christmas trees scriptural?

To bring this question up for review we must note the impact o trees in the Bible. For the record this discussion will rely on what the Bible reveals about this subject as most important with custom and tradition finding a place that will be explained in detail.

Also we need to know the origin of Christmas. With that done we will then go to the Bible where we will find information that relates to this subject. (Jeremiah 10)

Trees have had a great prominence in scripture. For example trees that were identified with Holy places were permitted to flourish. The heathens and pagans venerated trees because they believed gods inhabited in them.

In Deuteronomy 12:2 and 1 Kings 14:33 we see that the sacrifices were often offered under trees. The Hebrews (Deuteronomy 16:2) were forbidden to plant a tree near a sacred altar. Tree limbs were used in celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles (see Leviticus 23:40).

Trees also held a great importance during Biblical times in that trees provided wood for building all sorts of needed items. For example houses, furniture, tools and weapons handles, musical instruments, boats, ships, chariots, carts, wagons and yokes. Trees provided much needed fuel and food.

However trees played such an important role in the day-to-day lives of the people of antiquity that many turned trees into objects of worship.

The origin of the word Christmas and the alleged celebration of the birth of Christ have a direct bearing on our discussion. However due to various distortions and the Roman influence in the Church much confusion still exists.

Christmas is noted to be observed and celebrated as the day of the birth of Christ Jesus. This day and time of the year is celebrated by most Protestants and by Roman Catholics on December 25 of each year.

Our task here is not to render a discussion on the various theories, regarding the origin of a celebration without a date or time. Therefore we note the following to cut to the chase and render less confusion as possible. The first mention of the observance on December 25 is the time of Constantine about A.D. 325. However for the record the birth of Christ is not known. Furthermore if God wanted us to know the date of Christ’s birth it would be clearly revealed in the Bible.

Meanwhile the word Christmas is a form of Christ + Mass, meaning a mass of religion services in commemoration of the birth of Christ. Many customs of pagan origin have become a part of Christmas. Commercialization (where did it come from?) and economic enterprise during this season is running wild and gaining more and more evident and of course the Christmas tree.

However many people now believe that the pagan/heathen connotation regarding the Christmas tree has passed. Therefore arguing that the tree points upward to God and reminds us of His gifts. But what does the Bible say?

Part 2: Are Christmas Trees Associated With Idol Worship?

Part 3: The Idol Tree & The Contemporary Christmas Tree

Part 4: Idol gods Cannot Move

Part 5: Origin of the Christmas Tree

Part 6: Tradition & Salvation

Part 7: The Authority of Tradition Based on Its Origin

Part 8: Can Tradition & Custom Take You Away From The Gospel?

Part 9: Firm In the Faith: But Can Man Make Christian Holidays?

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carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net

carlapatton@comcast.net