Is It A Sin To Put A Christmas Tree?
The Christmas tree is one of the most significant symbols of the Christmas season. But the question arises in the Christian community, Is it a sin to put up a Christmas tree? Most Christians do not want displease Jesus Christ in anyway but would putting up a Christmas tree do that?
There are over 50 Bible scriptures that could be used as having to do with Christmas trees. One of the more famous verses that I remember in my Christian walk about the Christmas tree is Jeremiah 10:1-25.
Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”
This verse doesn’t necessarily apply to Christmas trees, but it does deal with the customs of the heathen who cut down trees, shaped the wood into idols. Some say this means you shouldn’t put up a tree, others believe this just means the most important thing is keeping Christ as the true meaning of Christmas. The Bible does speak against idol worship and placing other things before God.
Now one scripture deals with a more festive use of trees in worship.
And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.
Many Christians believe this scripture means the tree is a festive and celebratory symbol based on the worship of God. The scripture does not primarily apply to Christmas trees, but mentions the palm trees and others. Trees do praise God as the wind blows on them in scripture. I think the holiday garlands people hang really are based on this scripture.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
The scripture points to the people planting trees near the holy place of God which means you can't place anything in the holy place which would take the attention off of God. Idolatry is placing anything above Jesus Christ. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ birth into the world and if anything takes the place of him, it becomes a idol. Many people have commercialized Christmas so much and have distanced themselves from the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ.
In my opinion poll on my Facebook page, most people believed it was appropriate to put up a Christmas tree as long you do not worship or make the tree an idol. The topic seems to point to where is the heart of the believer at the time concerning the tree. If the tree is a idol, then it should not be put up as it is now a idol. We must think about other things that we make as a idols during the holidays such as Santa, gifts, and etc as well.
At the end of the day, whether you put up a Christmas tree or not, the focus should always be about the Lord only. It is your conviction or choice whether or not you put up a tree is completely up to you.
Do you think it’s a sin to put up a Christmas tree? Email us or leave a comment on our Facebook page at Praise 93.3!
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