Question by freeinquiry1965: How come Christians defy the Bible every Dec. by practicing a forbidden pagan ritual?
Jeremiah 10:2-4
“Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen…. 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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”
What’s there to judge? Did anyone actually *read* the passage? The Bible clearly forbids the evergreen sacrifice to Saturn – a ritual of Roman times.
WDJD:
That’s laughable. The historical facts make it clear that the “Christmas tree” is homage to Saturn in pre-Christian Rome. It’s as simple as that!
Best answer:
Answer by Love of Truth
Maybe for the same reason they don’t burn witches anymore.
Add your own answer in the comments!
you mean, “how many Christians defy my interpretation of the Bible…”
the bible is full of contradictions and allows for interpretation
besides, judge not lest ye be judged
Wait a minute, Christmas is not all about Santa. When you start worshiping that tree and letting it get in the way of you relationship with God, then it becomes a pagan ritual. Santa is a way to make kids want more stuff. This is why my parents never let me believe in Santa Clause, we didn’t have a tree after I turned five. Christmas in my family is about Christ. I’m sure it’s that way in most Christian households.
Anticipating that this will be asked at least seven hundred more times before Christmas, I will make this response short:
THIS IS WITH REGARD TO WORSHIPPING AN IDOL.
Great point. The answer must be ignorance. The Christmas celebration isn’t in the Bible – except in the verse you pointed out – which is obviously about some older pagan version. Most Christians probably couldn’t tell you very much about Jeremiah, let alone where Christmas came from or why they celebrate it. Their parents did it – so that’s good enough for them.
You err, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or he falls. And he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One indeed judges one day above another; but another judges every day the same. Let each be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord; and he that does not regard the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. And he that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he that does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.
A Christian who chooses to celebrate the Lord’s birthday during December or his resurrection during the time of Easter is not bound by pagan traditions. God owns everything and we who believe in Jesus can celebrate our Savior whenever we want to. As was written above: “Who are you to judge another’s servant?”
If you are fully convinced in your own mind that Christmas is a pagan holiday then we who are strong in faith should accept you and not tempt you to sin because you think that a pagan holiday is anything.
Romans 14:1 Receive one that is weak in the faith, not for disputes over opinions.
1 Corinthians 8:1-4 Now concerning the things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has come to know nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one has been known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of the things offered to idols (or the celebrating of a holiday), we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
Because everyone likes christmas. The Christians saw the pagans having fun and thought they’d join in. Plus, they’ll be forgiven by God because they’re christians.
One by one Christians peel off and toss the parts of the biblical “God” they don’t like. … Which figures, since they created their own “God” I suppose they have the right to modify their creation to suit their whims.
you believe in something, that is different than other christians. You can be right in your own rights. God bless you.
You know, I am a Christian and that is a very good point.
Good question and good scriptural back-up!!
That really gets me thinking….thank you.
Btw, I dont tell my children theres a Santa Claus…I dont pound it in their heads that there isnt one either.
Telling them there is one would be nothing but a lie.
When they ask me if there is, I reply…what do you think?
I teach them all good things come from God.
But thanks for the question…real good one.
I don’t use silver and gold, so it’s okay.
HA HA HA HA HA
BECAUSE CHRISTIANS ARE STUPID MINDLESS SHEEP WHO FOLLOWS THE PHAROAHS STAFF AND ROD BENT ON WORSHIPPING EVIL AND THATS WHY THE EARTH IS GOING TO PIECES CUZ THEY KEEP PRAYING AND DONT KNOW WHO THEY ARE PRAYING TO.
THE MORE CHRISTIANS PRAY THE MORE EARTH GOES TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET AND YOU CAN SAY IM WRONG BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PROVE IT AND FROM WHERE ANYONE STANDS EARTH IS NOT PARADISE
It’s in history books ,when Emperor Constantine saw the
Crucified Christ in battle against the Hittits,He proclaimed all Romans were Christians. The feast festivus was celebrated in December. Because of the ignorance of the
Early Romans they wanted to accept Christ,so Constantine and the Edict of Milan, they made Christmas
25th the day Christ was born,even tho historians will tell
you Jesus was born in August.
What satan intended for evil God has turned it to His purpose in this case Christmas is now used to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our LORD(not meant as shouting) and Savior.
Why Christians should NOT celebrate Christmas. Every year at this time, I get inundated with emails that read like 40 page doctrinal dissertations on why a Christian should NOT celebrate Christmas.by Bill Keller
They make very good arguments about the pagan celebrations at this time of year, the evils of the Christmas tree, lying to children about Santa Claus, how Jesus was not born on December 25th, and many other reasons why a Christian should not celebrate Christmas. To those people I have only one thing to say….BAH HUMBUG!
Listen, everyone understands that Jesus was not born on December 25th, but according to most scholars, sometime in the spring. I have yet to meet anyone that worshipped their Christmas tree, only decorated it. If you are old enough to be able to read this, you are old enough to know that there is no Santa Claus. And yes, there are many pagan celebrations that occur at this time of the year, and the Bible does not have the word Christmas in it. However, there is only ONE REASON that we celebrate Christmas, and that is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Christians SHOULD celebrate the birth of Jesus! It is right, and good that we take time each year to remember that blessed event. It was foretold by the prophets of old. It is a well documented historical event chronicled in the Gospels and supported by the historians of that day. After His death and resurrection, it is easily the GREATEST EVENT IN HUMAN HISTORY! Think about it. God Himself, the Creator of the heavens and earth, came to this earth as a mere man to live with His creation. He came as a mere baby, born of a virgin in a humble manger in an obscure little town. He would grow up to die on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Three days after His death, God would raise Him from the dead as a sign to this lost and unbelieving world that He was exactly who He claimed to be… the SON OF GOD! His life would literally transform the lives of every man, woman, and child for the rest of human history. THAT is why we celebrate Christmas. THAT is why as Christians, we SHOULD celebrate Christmas.
I love you and care about you so much. I realize that people who say not to celebrate Christmas mean well, and are trying to live their lives in a way pleasing and acceptable to God. I know they are well intentioned, and many of the things they point out about Christmas are true. But they have missed the point of Christmas. Christmas is about only one thing, celebrating the birth of Jesus. It is one of those times of the year that we gather with family and friends, and share our faith in Christ. Christmas is also VERY BIBLICAL. Luke chapter 2 gives us the account of His birth. That was the very first Christmas. Of course Mary was there, as was Joseph. We also read about several shepherds that God spoke to who were part of that first Christmas. Now, some 2,000 years later, we will set aside time in the coming days to do what they did at that first Christmas…. celebrate the birth Jesus!
I pray today that you will never forget what Christmas is really about, and why we celebrate this holiday. Of course, anything that the world gets involved with becomes perverted. The world has taken this sacred time of the year and turned it into a time of commerce. We must never allow ourselves to get so caught up in the parties, the gifts, the food, and all of the other things associated with the Christmas season, to forget what it is about…. a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. THAT is what Christmas is really about, and THAT is why as Christians, we SHOULD celebrate this wonderful event!!!
In his love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller
Please Please, read Jeremiah 10:2-4 in context, this is not speaking of a christmas tree, this is speaking of wooden idles the people were creating to worship. these were wooden statues adorned with God and silver by which the people would worship and offer sacrifices too, this was there god.
I dont worship my christmas tree, nor do I offer sacrifices to it. the Tree is a symbol, a symbol that largly is brought not from Christians, but from the world tradition of Christmas. the tree is arguably a pagan symbol because of the fact that a ritual was to cut a tree and put it in the house. however the attitude is completly different. the whole attitude of Christmas revolves around Jesus and Jesus only. the question, is why did Jesuss Come?
Let me explain by asking you a few questions……
Do you consider yourself to be a good person?
Have you ever lied (even once–fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything–the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, “Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart.” Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said “Yes” to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we’ve only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. Have you ever hated someone? the BIble calls this Murder. so if God Judges you by this standard, will you be innocent or guilty? Listen to your conscience, you know you will be guilty, and the BIBle says the same. The penalty for your sin is death and hell. but there is great news, God has done something wonderful for you. God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death.
Your own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the “Door,” the only “mediator.” There is salvation in no other name, so pray and turn from your sins (Repent) and put your full faith and trust in Jesusu as Lord and savior. If you will do this, God will forgive you and grant you the gift of eternal life.
God Bless
WDJD
For God to say something is vain is not to say that it is forbidden. It is not law . While many of the practices of Christmas may have pagan roots to worship Christ is not pagan. Christians are not under the penalty of the law Christ has risen and we worship him in spirit and not through the letter of the law. To worship Christ and celebrate his birth is not forbidden nor is it pagan.
Jerimiah was way before the time of the Romans.Besides he was talking about carving an” Idol” out of a tree,not a “Christmas tree”.I know you are probably a Jehovah’s Witless who thinks no one should have any fun.Just sit there like a “log”(oh oh,I hope that’s not idol worship saying LOG.)
A Christmas tree is just a decoration.Either that or I’m throwing my “god” out with the trash every New Years week.
Most Christian holidays are based on pagan rituals. Candles, incense, wine, breaking of the bread etc. It was easier to convert the masses by incorporating pagan ritual and blending the two belief systems. When it comes to controlling the masses the Bible is used or ignored depending on the situation. In this case Jeremiah was on the ignore list.
The pagans were convinced to convert when the church allowed some of their symbols into their christian rituals. I believe the Bible does not endorse celebrating Christmas at all. As for Easter it contains many symbols of fertility because it is all about spring and the solstice. The name is derived from Ester the Goddess of fertility.
The same reason they refuse to accept baptism as essential for salvation, they care more what they want than what God wants.
The tree is not the only thing pagan about Christmas the whole holiday is. December 25 was a celebration of the rebirth of the sun. I am pagan and celebrate Yule, but when I was a Christian I did not celebrate Christmas except as a day off from work.
No where in the whole bible is there any hint that we should celebrate Christ’s birth, but there are many passages where we are to celebrate his death.
Christians in the first century did not celebrate birthdays at all this was what pagans did. The only reference to a birthday being celebrated in the whole new Testament is when John lost his head . It was the pagan emperor who was celebrating and a Christian that died because of it.