I grew up celebrating Christmas. There are many festive and fun elements associated with its traditions. Of course, those of us who grow up in it also have emotional and sentimental memories tied up in holidays like Christmas as well. It was one of my favorite times of the year.
It was not until I was an adult for quite some time that the LORD brought me to start questioning these common traditions. I started asking questions about the origins of Christmas and its many colorful traditions.
One such tradition that many families are joyfully acting out around this time is that of getting a Christmas tree and bringing it into their home. I did it for decades. It can be fun.
Of course, “fun” is not the standard for what is right and what is wrong. Sin can often feel fun and seem to deliver happiness. Often it is an illusion. Even when it does bring happiness, it does not compare with a deeper and genuine relationship with our Father in Heaven.
The standard of what is good or bad is set by God. Our best written record is the Bible. I believe it is divinely inspired, but even for those who do not believe this, it is still certainly the most accurate record we have of God’s relationship with His people and His instructions for life.
One of the traditions I questioned is whether or not you may find Christmas trees in the Bible. Many will say, “no”, but actually there is a reference that seems to point them out in all but name. We should consider it. Some will argue this is focused only on idols, but it seems to apply to Christmas trees.
1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2Thus 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.
3For 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.
4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
That was fairly surprising to me, but as I studied more about the origins of Christmas I found just about all of them to be pagan. We can explore more in separate articles over the next couple weeks, but do take time to really consider this one as a start. Yahweh tells us not to learn the ways of the heathen, or non-believer. He does not want us doing what they do or did and just putting a new label or “meaning” on it to make if appear Christian. He wants us to be set apart and holy.
To learn more:
- Review other Christmas or holiday related articles using our Traditions / Holidays category or search function for “Christmas”.
- Consider these videos from Psalm 119 Ministry
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please help me to put You and Your instructions first. Give me courage and discernment to separate from the traditions that have been learned from the heathen or pagan, and which by definition then are against Your teaching for how we should live. Let there be an awakening for Your people around this nation and the world to turn away from the ways of the world and turn toward Your ways. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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