Christians and Christmas Trees
November 27th, 2006
(By John MacArthur)
Should Christians have Christmas Trees?
As the Christmas Season approaches, questions like this sometimes arise. Like everything in life, it is important to approach these issues with biblical discernment.
In this case, we see nothing wrong with the traditional Christmas tree. However, some have taught that it’s wrong for anyone to have a Christmas tree in their home. But are their reasons valid? We don’t think so. Let’s look at the two most common objections people make against having a Christmas tree.
First, some object on the basis that Christmas trees have pagan origins. It is believed that Boniface, English missionary to Germany in the eighth century, instituted the first Christmas tree. He supposedly replaced sacrifices to the god Odin’s sacred oak with a fir tree adorned in tribute to Christ. But certain other accounts claim that Martin Luther introduced the Christmas tree lighted with candles. Based on that information you could say the Christmas tree has a distinguished Christian pedigree.
However, even if a pagan background were clearly established, that wouldn’t necessarily mean we could not enjoy the use of a Christmas tree. Perhaps the following analogy will help.
During World War II the American military used some remote South Pacific islands for temporary landing strips and supply depots. Prior to that time the indigenous tribal people had never seen modern technology up close. Large cargo planes swooped in filled with an array of material goods, and for the first time the islanders saw cigarette lighters (which they deemed to be miraculous), jeeps, refrigerators, radios, power tools, and many varieties of food.
When the war was over, the islanders concluded that the men who brought cargo were gods, so they began building shrines to the cargo gods. They hoped the cargo gods would return with more goods.
Most people do not even know about this religious superstition. Similarly, few know anything about the worship of trees. When a child pulls a large present out from under the Christmas tree and unwraps a large model cargo plane, no one views that object as an idol. Nor do we view the Christmas tree to be some kind of gift god. We understand the difference between a toy and an idol just as clearly as we understand the difference between an idol and a Christmas tree. We see no valid reason to make any connection between Christmas trees and wooden idols or the worship of trees. Those who insist on making such associations should take note of the warnings in Scripture against judging one another in doubtful things (see Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 10:23-33).
Another common objection is the claim that Christmas trees are prohibited in Scripture. Jeremiah 10 is commonly used to support this viewpoint. But a closer look at the passage will show that it has nothing to do with Christmas trees and everything to do with idol worship. Verse eight says, “A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.”
Idol worship was a clear violation of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:3-6 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
There is no connection between the worship of idols and the use of Christmas trees. We should not be anxious about baseless arguments against Christmas decorations. Rather, we should be focused on the Christ of Christmas and giving all diligence to remembering the real reason for the season.
Excellent, timely post! A good defense against the arguments used by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Thank you for this post – timely indeed and much needed.
I understand the convictions that many have to rid their family traditions of anything that has pagan roots, and I respect that decision (just as I prefer the same kind of respect for our own family decisions).
However, there is a fine line between conviction and legalism and it comes up quite often with this subject.
I always ask if they use the US calendar that says “Sunday” on it. Because if you do this word Sunday has pagan roots for the Sun god.
If you are not worshiping the Christmas tree that is in your house and all it is, is tradition, I don’t see any reason for the “outrage” over it.
I like the biblical reference to Romans 14 because that is exaclty where we all need to be taken to often. So that we remember that if it is doubtful to be careful of condemning.
Good post.
[...] You can read it HERE [...]
[...] Of course, I’m ready to jump in with an opinion about most anything, though I hope I can be gracious when proffering those opinions. Last year I broached this topic, and presented the reasons Why I Love Christmas. You can skim over my thoughts if you like, but be sure to click on the links at the end for some much deeper and clearer thinking than my own. I have another link to add, which you should add to your reading list: Christians and Christmas Trees by John MacArthur. [...]
Seth
I disagree with your argument. If we filled our houses with Buddahs, Saint statues, and Icons- we would be suspect.
The argument that we are not worshipping it does not work with Roman Catholics and it should not work with Protestants either.
I enjoy decorating our Christmas tree with our 6 children. Actually what we put up is a “Christ-Life Tree.” Every day in December for 25 days we put up a new ornament that depicts the life of Christ and read Scripture that goes along with it as we talk about what it means… because, as I have told my children, Christmas isn’t really about the birth of a baby named Jesus. It is about the birth of a Saviour. It is about the life he led… the laying down of that unblemished life for a bunch of undeserving, vile wretches, and it’s about the fact that he was raised from the dead so that those undeserving wretches can have, not only eternal life, but an eternal High Priest that makes intercession for them right now… before a perfectly holy, perfectly just, justifiably wrathful, lonsuffering, gracious, merciful, loving God.
good and timely post. i was just talking about jeremiah and the tree with my son a few days ago as we discuss again whether we should celebrate christmas this year.
the other issue is the timing of the winter solstice which john did not tackle here but i would imagine a similar stance.
[...] I have been thinking about this the past couple winters when the “Holiday Season” rolls around. I have found that with myself it is a lot harder to worship my God in spirit and truth during this time of the year. I think that it is because many times all of the Santa and gift-buying and commercialism seems to overwhelm me to the point that I enjoy the essence of Christmastime much more than I do my God and Savior who came to earth from heaven to become man like me. Brothers and sisters in Christ, do not become prey to the enjoyment of the world and the complacency that so often accompanies it. At the same time, realize that there is an enjoyment that God does give us to enjoy in this world. For instance, check out this post that John MacArthur posted on Christmas Trees. Most of all, shoot for God’s glory in all things and do not forget the incredible thought of Christ coming to earth as a man to be sin for us. This is what I must constantly remind myself of. Hopefully, you can do the same. [...]
Nate.
You are really going to attribute the same importance of a Christmas tree to Buddha and RC statues?
Come on…as far as I know, no one has worshipped a Christmas tree (notice I said “Christmas” tree and not things made of trees) or would ever see is as that, compared to me putting a fat buddha in my house and just saying it looked like one of my uncles.
Of course putting a buddha statue or RC statues is a lot different than putting up a Christmas Tree, which by the way is called by it’s correct name…Christ-mas…so what is the association? Christ and the worship of Him not the tree. Where putting up those other things would associate anyone with either Buddhism or Catholicism.
Big difference if you ask me.
I read all the comments on Christmas Trees. I personally gave up having them when I became saved. Everyone is stating how they are not worshipping trees like the pagans did, but the fight to give up having them ought to tell you something. Why do we erect trees in our homes to celebrate Christ’s birth? (Do you erect trees to celebrate your birthday?) The only thing Christ told us to do to remember Him was communion. The trees in themselves have no power, but we make them idols to ourselves when Christmas is just not Christmas without that Tree!
I don’t down or stop anyone for having a Christmas tree, I just can’t in good consious have one because I can’t see what it has to do with the birth of Christ.
Our bodies were created with a brain and a spirit to communicate with God. If you feel convicted about a Christ “Mass” tree, then don’t have one. Some Christians don’t believe in eating pork–so they shouldn’t. Some remote African tribes have Christian women who do not feel convicted to wear tops, yet are VERY modest about their skirts. Can we do that in the USA? Does it make them “less” Christian?
Each of us should be able to follow our own culture “norms” without falling into sin. We are “in” the world, but not “of” the world. Will lost people believe I have something better if stop watching ALL movies, going swimming or listening to upbeat music (even if it is Christian)? What if I poke out my eyes to keep me from lusting? Will they want to follow God if I make my wife wear a black, ankle-length dress with a veil?
23 “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Deborah
Well Said. We did the same thing at our home after I was saved.
God Bless
God bless you Norm & Deborah,
I’m a father with 5 children and my wife and I did the same. I find it very discouraging this time of year when the church is in a mad rush after “the patterns of this world”. If your family takes a stand for Truth regarding christmas, you are looked at as if YOU have the issues.
I’ve come to believe christmas itself has become and idol within the church and the tree is the icon. We lay gifts at its feet and have our own children bow down to get them. But oh no, not us, we don’t have idols!
I’ve often wondered what someone visiting from another planet would think regarding this custom of bringing a tree into the house and the things we do to it this time of year.(Very Strange indeed!)
Is this really a clear refection of true Christianity? Hardly so. Let’s all remember, God seeks thoses who worship him in spirit and truth, that’s right TRUTH. Not fairy tales, not nostalgia and not harm fuzzy feelings in the midst of blinking coloured lights. Let US be the light. (I’m Stepping of soap box now, scanning for life forms)
I’ve been listening to a J.MacArthur CD “The Holiness of God” a lot of late. When I became a Christian I thought C.Trees and Easter Bunnies were of men, and indeed they are. I agree with a statement made in that CD; I too fear the world b/c it is Satans and he has a lot “in me” to work with. As holiday fare are of men, so is formal education. Was David educated? by whom? Is education wrong? I have no complete formal education and in most churches I have gone to I am looked at differently, especially by parents if I’ve shown interest in their daughter. I’ve known more “Christian” university graduates who fool with those things of the world like sex apart from marriage, excessive drinking, vulgar speech, unreliability, and a poor understanding of keeping ones word than I care to recall. Many of them are puffed up and lack humility. I am no advocate for ignorance however. I do write these things b/c whether the topic is education which “is” an idol in this nation for so many, serving the Lord or having Christmas trees, mankind perverts them all, not God. Is it the outward action or what lie within the heart, the motivation, and who shall judge? If God leads the sinner to a family who celebrates Christ with or w/o a C.Tree be they a family of paupers or princes, and that soul is saved b/c the Spirit resides in that family allowing Him to work effectively through them, does anything else matter to God? Perhaps it’s just we who see more clearly than our Lord Jesus? I can not answer for Him, but I do believe that He speaks well through his servant J.MacArthur. Apart from faithful men as he, even through a false teacher, if some truth is spoken, can not our God in the least draw the broken soul from any corruption of men. The point I would make is that we are called to know God through Jesus, to know His word and when provided the opportunity, to preach it, to give away what was first given by grace to us. As for Christmas trees, whatever~ when decorated, they sure are a welcome site for me in a world that advertises sin on every thing and in every place possible. Praise God for His gift of Godly creativity in the human mind and hand and for the smell of fresh cut spruce that lingers in my mind as does His word.
I was interested to read the discussion on Christmas trees, since this year I have agreed with my husband not to have one in our house. It was a very difficult thing to give up – in fact caused me some tears – which leads me to believe it was actually a false idol – since I believe that the modern day idols are possessions that take a more important place in our lives than they should – a kind of dependence that is more subtle, yet more dangerous, than literally bowing down to something and verbally saying that we worship it. Our idols are those things that we love so much that they influence our behaviour – things that we just can’t do without. I think a good question to ask ourselves is how would we honestly feel without this thing – why not test yourself? Try Christmas without a Christmas tree – if you can get by without any sense of loss, then sure it wasn’t an idol in your life – but the grief I am feeling shows me that it was an idol in mine, that I wasn’t aware of. Sure my family don’t understand and think I am a little nutty – but I have a certain peace that this Christmas will be a little more like it should be.
Anyway – happy Christmas everyone! (with or without your tree)
Ruth
I just found this link when looking for dicsussion over whether Christians should celebrate/not celebrate Christmas in general. Although I had not been specifically thinking about the issue of a Christmas tree, the thoughts above were helpful and appreciated, even as Christmas 2007 approaches and my husband and I are seeking to do what is best and biblical, in spite of what others (including our family members) may think.
Do you have any biblical thoughts on the subject of gift-giving/exchanging gifts at Christmas?? This is really the one main issue that we have been wrestling with in terms of Christmas – the thought of giving gifts to each other and others when we are supposed to be celebrating CHRIST’S birthday. Any thoughts you might be able to share would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.
My wife has recently been cut to the heart about the watered-down (read “false”) gospel being preached all around us. This deep conviction has led to numerous changes in her heart. I catch her weeping repeatedly during the day and she’s thrown out many things that she now views as hindrances.
I’ve been pleading with the Holy Spirit to give me the grace and wisdom to be her shepherd during this time but when I asked her when she wanted to go get a tree she (reluctantly… trying to avoid hurting my feelings) said she didn’t want to have anything to do with it.
I’ll admit I was upset. Some of my fondest memories with my family involve the Christmas tree… pulling out our old ornaments and telling stories. Sitting together drinking hot chocolate and looking at the lights…
Legalists have a way of twisting and perverting many truly good things and often things that are completely innocuous. I can also tell you that some of my fondest memories are working on cars with my dad or sitting and talking to my mom while she cooked dinner. The smells, colors, tactile memories… all these things give me the “fuzzies.” I don’t elevate the things or the memories above my Savior but if one were to tell me that I couldn’t work on cars with my dad anymore or that I couldn’t sit with my mom while she cooked dinner… If someone told me I was idolizing the fresh baked bread my wife pulls out of the oven on a cold Saturday morning or the cool touch of her fingers on the top of my hand that takes me back to when we first started dating… Well I’d also be upset.
My wife knows she’s of infinitely more importance to me than a Christmas tree. We’ve decided not to have one this year. We’re still exchanging gifts (I think… I’ve already bought several)
The Lord has seen fit to reveal to me the simplicity and beauty of His gospel and this fact remains, and always will remain: My Lord walked up a hill with a cross on His back and was murdered so that in Him, I might be set free, completely liberated from the curse of the law.
I’d ask you all to consider my family in prayer. Licentiousness is easy to spot and condemn but legalism is a crafty tool directly from hell.
Dear brothers and sisters:
My name is Mónica Félix, and I am writing from México City. I was looking a site in Internet to clarify the issue about Christmas trees. When I found this site, and after reading all the thoughts dropped here, I have realized, that the most important thing is to do what your conscience is telling to you and to act according to the Word of God. Just like Paul wrote in Romans 14: if someone is weak in his or her faith, we have to support him or her (with love). If you believe Christmas trees are not good for you, do not have anyone at your home, if you believe it won’t interfere with your faith and you want to enjoy it with your family, have one. The most important thing is to love God, to love each other, and to have peace in ours hearts.
I want to share with you a custom we have in Mexico. Here we make a representation of the birth of our Lord (in a small size); we call this representation a “nacimiento”. Personally, I like more to put a “nacimiento” instead a Christmas tree.
And, finally, to answer Amy’s question about gifts, I think it has to see with the gifts the Lord received when He was born. That is why we give and receive gifts in these holidays.
God bless everyone!
Your sister in Mexico City,
Mónica Félix