What Should I Believe About Christmas Trees?
NOVEMBER 28, 2022 | MICHAEL LACOBEE
“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
Your boughs, so green in Summer-time
Stay bravely green in Winter-time
O Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches”
For some of you, the lyrics to this song are a wonderful reminder of the excitement and joy that many experience during the Advent/Christmas season. For others, “O Christmas Tree” may fill you with frustration and strong convictions. As we head into this Advent/Christmas Season, and I assume because I am a pastor, it is inevitable that I will be answering the questions surrounding how we celebrate the Advent/Christmas Season, and why. There is no doubt about it, it is crucial for us to use Biblical discernment in the liturgy of our lives, to know why we do what we do.
So, why do we bring these trees into our homes? Why do we decorate them? Can we? Should we? I want to share with you the answer to “What should we believe about Christmas trees?”
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
We know of course that “Christmas Tree” is not its official title. The “Christmas Tree” is typically an evergreen conifer, traditionally a fir, a spruce, or a pine tree. This is important to remember because these trees are absolutely beautiful year around, not just during the season of our Christmas celebrations. Now, how we came to be bringing these beautiful trees into our homes and gathering places is very interesting. The known and common tradition today of bringing an evergreen conifer tree into your home, and then decorating it, is traced to all the way back to the 1500’s and comes from Germany. It wasn’t until the Renaissance period that we have clear records of the evergreen tree being used as a symbol of Christmas. There is no doubt a ton of folklore, legends, and myths surrounding its uses and purposes. “The most likely theory is that Christmas trees started with medieval plays. Dramas depicting Biblical themes began as part of the Church's worship, but by the late Middle Ages, they had become rowdy, imaginative performances dominated by laypeople and taking place in the open air. The plays celebrating the Nativity were linked to the story of creation—in part because Christmas Eve was also considered the feast day of Adam and Eve. Thus, as part of the play for that day, the Garden of Eden was symbolized by a ‘paradise tree’ [a Christmas tree] hung with fruit” 1
Evergreen trees were certainly used prior to the 1500’s, and for a wonderful fuller article on this subject you can read Edwin and Jennifer Woodruff Tait’s article, Why Do We Have Christmas Trees? It is true that evergreen trees have been used in many different ways by many different cultures; however, it is important to remember that the common use today comes, not from second-century paganism, but coming into and out of the Protestant Reformation in 16th century Germany. Today, our use of the evergreen tree as a Christmas tree came from these early German traditions, and most likely came through German immigration into the United States.
A BRIEF ANSWER ABOUT YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
Again, it is crucial for us to use Biblical discernment in the liturgy of our lives, to know why we do what we do; however, in being Biblically discerning toward the Christmas tree, the person who is convinced that Christmas trees are idols, evil, pagan, or satanic, will have a very difficult time showing that the body of Christ shouldn't and cannot celebrate Jesus’ birth with a Christmas tree. Here are three truths to help you Biblically discern what you should believe about Christmas trees:
PAGAN PRACTICE DOES NOT RUIN THE GLORY OF GOD.
History seems to ebb and flow in and out of good and bad uses of the evergreen tree. History also seems to ebb and flow, in and out of focus, on the accuracy of the historical accounts, whether or not they are true, how true, how clear, how fabricated. Regardless, even if the pagan use of the evergreen tree was historically accurate, one cannot conclude that we cannot enjoy the use of a Christmas tree today. Pastor John MacArthur’s analogy is helpful,
“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.” 2
These men and their stuff were not gods, obviously. The paganism was real, but the belief was false. The materials were real, they were useful, and even amazingly designed, but they were not divine, nor are they gods to be worshipped. So, does their false faith make the use of a refrigerator wicked? Not at all. Can false faith toward an evergreen tree make an evergreen tree wicked? Not at all. In the same way, think about how candles are used in cultic and false religion contexts. From heretical doctrine, paganism, satanism, cults, and many other very dangerous systems of false faith, candles are used alongside some of the most radical and ridiculous, evil and dark beliefs. Can we not therefore use and burn candles in homes or in our gathering places? Of course we can. In fact, I have a Wood-wick Frasier Fir Candle burning in my office as I write this. Remember what Psalm 95 proclaims,
“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.”
The evergreen tree is His, He made it, He formed it, “in His hands are the depths of the earth. Pagan practice does not ruin the glory of God and His creation.
PAGAN PRACTICE DOES NOT ANNEX THE WORD OF GOD.
I am not saying that simply because the Scriptures do not directly address Christmas trees, they are therefore permitted. That would be an argument built on sand. However, there is nothing in the Word of God that either commands or prohibits us in celebrating or decorating the Advent/Christmas season with Christmas trees, or other Advent/Christmas decorations.
Some cite Jeremiah 10:1-16 as a passage that forbids the cutting down and decorating of trees. However, it is clear, in its context that God did not give to His people a divine order against Christmas trees. Jeremiah is very obviously communicating that the gods of the godless are nonsensical and foolish. They went and walked their false gods out of the woods, chopped them down, carved them up, plated them with silver and gold, and worshiped them. It is clear that we understand the difference between a Christmas tree and an actually worshipped false god or idol. There are other passages of Scripture which show the misuses and abuses of God’s ex nihilo materials (i.e. Isaiah 44), but they mock such foolishness of bowing down and worshipping such man made idols. No where in the Word of God are we commanded not to decorate with evergreens or other materials like it.
On a side note, if you are bowing down before your Christmas tree, carving it into an idol, and praying to it, you have “exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man,” you have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:23–25).
PAGAN PRACTICE DOES NOT PERMIT PRIDE IN YOUR HEART.
When I was a kid, my brothers and I loved it when our parents allowed us to sleep in the living room, on the floor or the couch, in the glow of our Christmas tree lights, and other peacefully glowing decorations we had. My dad always insisted on a real tree, so even the smell was a wonderful experience. In fact, I was often found resting with my head fully under the tree looking up into it while I was awake, and sleeping peacefully under it while I was asleep. I can honestly confess “to God be the glory,” when it comes to our Christmas trees. For the Christian who sincerely enjoys the beauty of their Christmas tree, for God’s glory, and in the liberty afforded you by the Gospel, you can enjoy it, thank God for it, and glorify Him through it. Trust me, many Christians through Church history have done just that.
There is no well founded arguments anyone can make to demonize our enjoying the Christmas tree in our homes, this time of year, or any other. In fact, for those who insist on making the Christmas season a legalistic burden to Jesus’ Church, I Biblically and strongly warn them against making such harsh, discouraging, and distracting judgments of the Gospel liberty we have as Christians, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 14:5-6,
5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
Is the Lord to be pleased for the Christian who looks down upon another for either celebrating or not celebrating Christmas in a particular way? This is pride, spiritual pride. For the one who argues against the Christmas tree, there is great warning when we feel that “somehow we have achieved a higher plane of spirituality by doing or not doing something about which the Bible is silent, we misuse our freedom in Christ, create divisions within His body, and thereby dishonor the Lord.” 3
We must not choose Church history and tradition over the freedom we have in Christ. For example, as much as I have seriously benefitted from the Puritans and their loving and following Jesus, many of the Puritans objected to the celebration of Christmas. In 1647, the Puritan-led type of government attempted to cancel Christmas. They forbid traditional expressions of celebration, they ordered stores to stay open, ordered Churches to stay closed, and even arrested ministers for preaching on Christmas Day, which I will freely be doing myself this December 25, 2022. We are not to be troubled 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 this wonderful season.
What should you believe about Christmas trees? That God has made such beautiful trees, and regardless what the world around us chooses to do with what God has made, we rearrange everything in our lives asking if it glorifies God, does it please the Lord, is God honored in it, does it cause my brother or sister in Christ to stumble? Answer and discern these things Biblically, and then wonder in the goodness of God. As you decorate your Christmas tree this year, enjoy it as you are in awe of God's creation! Let wonder fill your heart as it did the prophet Isaiah, for “The splendor of Lebanon will come to you, its evergreens, firs, and cypresses together, to beautify my palace; I will bestow honor on my throne room.” Church, be in awe of God, worship the Lord, rejoice in His goodness and grace, give glory to the One who gave Himself to us that we might know Him.
“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
Your boughs, so green in Summer-time
Stay bravely green in Winter-time
O Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches”
For some of you, the lyrics to this song are a wonderful reminder of the excitement and joy that many experience during the Advent/Christmas season. For others, “O Christmas Tree” may fill you with frustration and strong convictions. As we head into this Advent/Christmas Season, and I assume because I am a pastor, it is inevitable that I will be answering the questions surrounding how we celebrate the Advent/Christmas Season, and why. There is no doubt about it, it is crucial for us to use Biblical discernment in the liturgy of our lives, to know why we do what we do.
So, why do we bring these trees into our homes? Why do we decorate them? Can we? Should we? I want to share with you the answer to “What should we believe about Christmas trees?”
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
We know of course that “Christmas Tree” is not its official title. The “Christmas Tree” is typically an evergreen conifer, traditionally a fir, a spruce, or a pine tree. This is important to remember because these trees are absolutely beautiful year around, not just during the season of our Christmas celebrations. Now, how we came to be bringing these beautiful trees into our homes and gathering places is very interesting. The known and common tradition today of bringing an evergreen conifer tree into your home, and then decorating it, is traced to all the way back to the 1500’s and comes from Germany. It wasn’t until the Renaissance period that we have clear records of the evergreen tree being used as a symbol of Christmas. There is no doubt a ton of folklore, legends, and myths surrounding its uses and purposes. “The most likely theory is that Christmas trees started with medieval plays. Dramas depicting Biblical themes began as part of the Church's worship, but by the late Middle Ages, they had become rowdy, imaginative performances dominated by laypeople and taking place in the open air. The plays celebrating the Nativity were linked to the story of creation—in part because Christmas Eve was also considered the feast day of Adam and Eve. Thus, as part of the play for that day, the Garden of Eden was symbolized by a ‘paradise tree’ [a Christmas tree] hung with fruit” 1
Evergreen trees were certainly used prior to the 1500’s, and for a wonderful fuller article on this subject you can read Edwin and Jennifer Woodruff Tait’s article, Why Do We Have Christmas Trees? It is true that evergreen trees have been used in many different ways by many different cultures; however, it is important to remember that the common use today comes, not from second-century paganism, but coming into and out of the Protestant Reformation in 16th century Germany. Today, our use of the evergreen tree as a Christmas tree came from these early German traditions, and most likely came through German immigration into the United States.
A BRIEF ANSWER ABOUT YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
Again, it is crucial for us to use Biblical discernment in the liturgy of our lives, to know why we do what we do; however, in being Biblically discerning toward the Christmas tree, the person who is convinced that Christmas trees are idols, evil, pagan, or satanic, will have a very difficult time showing that the body of Christ shouldn't and cannot celebrate Jesus’ birth with a Christmas tree. Here are three truths to help you Biblically discern what you should believe about Christmas trees:
PAGAN PRACTICE DOES NOT RUIN THE GLORY OF GOD.
History seems to ebb and flow in and out of good and bad uses of the evergreen tree. History also seems to ebb and flow, in and out of focus, on the accuracy of the historical accounts, whether or not they are true, how true, how clear, how fabricated. Regardless, even if the pagan use of the evergreen tree was historically accurate, one cannot conclude that we cannot enjoy the use of a Christmas tree today. Pastor John MacArthur’s analogy is helpful,
“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.” 2
These men and their stuff were not gods, obviously. The paganism was real, but the belief was false. The materials were real, they were useful, and even amazingly designed, but they were not divine, nor are they gods to be worshipped. So, does their false faith make the use of a refrigerator wicked? Not at all. Can false faith toward an evergreen tree make an evergreen tree wicked? Not at all. In the same way, think about how candles are used in cultic and false religion contexts. From heretical doctrine, paganism, satanism, cults, and many other very dangerous systems of false faith, candles are used alongside some of the most radical and ridiculous, evil and dark beliefs. Can we not therefore use and burn candles in homes or in our gathering places? Of course we can. In fact, I have a Wood-wick Frasier Fir Candle burning in my office as I write this. Remember what Psalm 95 proclaims,
“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.”
The evergreen tree is His, He made it, He formed it, “in His hands are the depths of the earth. Pagan practice does not ruin the glory of God and His creation.
PAGAN PRACTICE DOES NOT ANNEX THE WORD OF GOD.
I am not saying that simply because the Scriptures do not directly address Christmas trees, they are therefore permitted. That would be an argument built on sand. However, there is nothing in the Word of God that either commands or prohibits us in celebrating or decorating the Advent/Christmas season with Christmas trees, or other Advent/Christmas decorations.
Some cite Jeremiah 10:1-16 as a passage that forbids the cutting down and decorating of trees. However, it is clear, in its context that God did not give to His people a divine order against Christmas trees. Jeremiah is very obviously communicating that the gods of the godless are nonsensical and foolish. They went and walked their false gods out of the woods, chopped them down, carved them up, plated them with silver and gold, and worshiped them. It is clear that we understand the difference between a Christmas tree and an actually worshipped false god or idol. There are other passages of Scripture which show the misuses and abuses of God’s ex nihilo materials (i.e. Isaiah 44), but they mock such foolishness of bowing down and worshipping such man made idols. No where in the Word of God are we commanded not to decorate with evergreens or other materials like it.
On a side note, if you are bowing down before your Christmas tree, carving it into an idol, and praying to it, you have “exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man,” you have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:23–25).
PAGAN PRACTICE DOES NOT PERMIT PRIDE IN YOUR HEART.
When I was a kid, my brothers and I loved it when our parents allowed us to sleep in the living room, on the floor or the couch, in the glow of our Christmas tree lights, and other peacefully glowing decorations we had. My dad always insisted on a real tree, so even the smell was a wonderful experience. In fact, I was often found resting with my head fully under the tree looking up into it while I was awake, and sleeping peacefully under it while I was asleep. I can honestly confess “to God be the glory,” when it comes to our Christmas trees. For the Christian who sincerely enjoys the beauty of their Christmas tree, for God’s glory, and in the liberty afforded you by the Gospel, you can enjoy it, thank God for it, and glorify Him through it. Trust me, many Christians through Church history have done just that.
There is no well founded arguments anyone can make to demonize our enjoying the Christmas tree in our homes, this time of year, or any other. In fact, for those who insist on making the Christmas season a legalistic burden to Jesus’ Church, I Biblically and strongly warn them against making such harsh, discouraging, and distracting judgments of the Gospel liberty we have as Christians, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 14:5-6,
5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
Is the Lord to be pleased for the Christian who looks down upon another for either celebrating or not celebrating Christmas in a particular way? This is pride, spiritual pride. For the one who argues against the Christmas tree, there is great warning when we feel that “somehow we have achieved a higher plane of spirituality by doing or not doing something about which the Bible is silent, we misuse our freedom in Christ, create divisions within His body, and thereby dishonor the Lord.” 3
We must not choose Church history and tradition over the freedom we have in Christ. For example, as much as I have seriously benefitted from the Puritans and their loving and following Jesus, many of the Puritans objected to the celebration of Christmas. In 1647, the Puritan-led type of government attempted to cancel Christmas. They forbid traditional expressions of celebration, they ordered stores to stay open, ordered Churches to stay closed, and even arrested ministers for preaching on Christmas Day, which I will freely be doing myself this December 25, 2022. We are not to be troubled 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 this wonderful season.
What should you believe about Christmas trees? That God has made such beautiful trees, and regardless what the world around us chooses to do with what God has made, we rearrange everything in our lives asking if it glorifies God, does it please the Lord, is God honored in it, does it cause my brother or sister in Christ to stumble? Answer and discern these things Biblically, and then wonder in the goodness of God. As you decorate your Christmas tree this year, enjoy it as you are in awe of God's creation! Let wonder fill your heart as it did the prophet Isaiah, for “The splendor of Lebanon will come to you, its evergreens, firs, and cypresses together, to beautify my palace; I will bestow honor on my throne room.” Church, be in awe of God, worship the Lord, rejoice in His goodness and grace, give glory to the One who gave Himself to us that we might know Him.
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1 Woodruff Tait, Edwin, and Jennifer Woodruff Tait. “Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?” Web log. Christianitytoday.com(blog). Christianity Today, December 11, 2008. https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/december/why-do-we-have-christmas-trees.html.
2 MacArthur, John. “Should Christians Have Christmas Trees?” Web log. GTY.org (blog). Grace to You, December 17, 2009. https://www.gty.org/library/questions/QA073/should-christians-have-christmas-trees.
3 “Should We Have a Christmas Tree?” Web log. GotQuestions.org (blog). Got Questions Ministries. Accessed November 28, 2022. https://www.gotquestions.org/Christmas-tree.html.
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