Jeremiah 10 NIV
1 Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel. 2 This is what the LORD says:
“Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.King James Version3For 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.
Hebrew Masoretic Text3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for it is but a tree which one cutteth out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.Septuagint3 because the precepts of the nations are vain: there is a tree from the forest, cut down, a work of a craftsman, and a molten image.
5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.”
This passage is often ignored by Christians at Christmas, because it appears to forbid cutting down a tree, bringing it into your home, and decorating it. There are some Christian groups today that forbid Christmas trees due to this passage.
Most Christians who are aware of this verse claim it is about idolatry and not about Christmas trees. This is an Old Testament passage, so obviously it could not be a Christmas tree. Also, they not that in many modern translations the word chisel is used, indicating that the tree was not really a tree but a carved idol. The NIV uses the word chisel. The KJV uses the word axe, as does the Hebrew Masoretic Text. The Septuagint does not use axe or chisel, but calls the tree a “molten image” in verse 3. Once again, the different translations are a source of confusion.
Further verses show that the context of this passage is clearly about the worship of idols. However, verses 3 and 4 are still strong statements against cutting down trees and bringing them into a house to decorate, and these verses are a direct quote from God.
Furthermore, God states clearly that he does not like the customs of other people (non Jews). There are multiple non-Jewish origins of decorating trees that pre-date the Christmas tree. Ancient (and modern) pagans would cut boughs of evergreens for decoration in their homes. Ancient Egyptians decorated their homes with palm tree branches. Greeks decorated evergreen trees as part of worship of their god Adonia. Pagan Romans would decorate trees with metal and replicas of Bacchus, a fertility god. Germans tied fruit and candles to trees in honor of their god Woden. Christians can not accurately claim that decorating a tree is not related to pagan idol worship.
The second-century Christian theologian Tertullian condemned those Christians who celebrated the winter festivals, or decorated their houses with laurel boughs in honor of the emperor: “Let them over whom the fires of hell are imminent, affix to their posts, laurels doomed presently to burn: to them the testimonies of darkness and the omens of their penalties are suitable. You are a light of the world, and a tree ever green. If you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple.” Other Christian leaders condemned the “pagan” practice of christmas trees, including the Pilgrim’s second governor, William Bradford. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Worldwide Church of God (recent post at http://worldwidechurchgod.blogspot.com/2009/12/call-for-christmas-tree-sellers-to.html) and many fundamentalist Christian groups still forbid Christmas trees. Notice the Worldwide Church of God link mentions Jeremiah 10 as well.
Most Christians, however, continue to ignore this passage and any other passage in the bible that contradicts their opinions.
Bible Verses Rarely Read on Sunday 
I think you really need to check your facts. The Worldwide Church of God KEEPS Christmas. The blog you got that info from is NOT a WCG related sited but is produced by a mentally disturbed individual that was kicked out of Israel for terrorist activities.
Worldwide’s web site is here:
http://www.wcg.org/
By: Trevor on January 3, 2010
at 7:36 pm
Here is exact text from the website you mention at http://www.wcg.org/lit/aboutus/history.htm:
From 1934 to 1995, the WCG did not observe Christmas. However, much has changed in the Worldwide Church of God since Herbert Armstrong died. On April 3, 2009, it changed its name to Grace Communion International. More importantly, there are so many splinter groups from the WCG that I can not find one list that includes them all. Some are listed below:
The full chart of the organization splits can be found at: http://www.wcg.org/lit/aboutus/splits.htm. This chart, published by the WCG, states “Chart based on information available in 1997. We are not attempting to keep the chart up to date.”
I hope you do not fault me to much for not keeping up with the doctrinal differences of these various cults.
By: edhensley on January 5, 2010
at 2:25 am
The word of God is not a cult. The reason this church lost its credibility is because they started to worship a man rather than God. I had examined the teachings of these churches, They are scripture. However when continuously promoting and glorifying a man, then they are no different than a cult. However don’t let Satan keep your mind from truth. The scriptures hold true even when Armstrong taught them. And he did just that. However any organized church or religion that substitutes man for God is the work of Satan. But again. This is what Satan does. He shuts the truth up. If you expose racism, They call you a racist. If you expose hate your a fear monger, If you expose lies in government, You are a conspiracy theorist. I have a brain and through the truth of scripture God gave me discernment. Don’t let Satan keep you from truth and understanding of Gods word due to the ignorance of the Armstrongers.
By: Vicki Milner on October 20, 2015
at 12:04 pm
Ancient Judaism was a cult that sacrificed animals. The bible is nothing more than Bronze Age mythology. It is time for people to enter the modern world.
By: edhensley on October 21, 2015
at 1:55 pm
Vicki said:
“The word of God is not a cult. The reason this church lost its credibility is because they started to worship a man rather than God.”
Thank you for discrediting the central premise of Christianity. Please keep it in mind the next time you’re inclined to praise Jesus.
By: Anonymous on November 8, 2015
at 9:22 pm
WRONG ED. It’s Grossly Inaccurate: The vast majority of the Old Testament was written during the Iron Age (1200 BC – 500 BC) and the entire New Testament was written in the 1st Century AD and entirely postdates both the periods referred to as the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. https://biblebased.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/dear-atheists-actually-its-not-a-bronze-age-book/
By: SED on December 28, 2021
at 5:58 pm
Ed has made a particularly powerful point, he is not asking if you have christmas trees but rather why you ignore this simple law from the Bible. The Bible says no idols, no murder, no trees why ignore the last mentioned here ?
By: mP on December 1, 2011
at 4:55 am
I agree. God said, If you love me, Keep my commandments. And he clearly commands us not to worship him as the pagans worship their God. So who are we serving here ? God or ourselves in keeping our precious traditions of Man that are clearly against God Almighty. They don’t call it Black Friday for nothing.
By: Vicki Milner on October 20, 2015
at 12:08 pm
Who is Ed to make such a bold claim as the Bible being mythology? Jesus who is throughout the Bible, is even by ungodly scholars, recognized as having existed. The Bible of course stands on it’s own authority and needs no backing…It just so happens that there is a lot of support. I assume it’s possible he believes the rest of unbiblical history on plato, Socrates, alexander the great and others are accurately known in history, Why? heck maybe even evolution is proven to him. To make a claim that Biblical history is myth, is Ed saying that just about the part he doesn’t agree with or Earth history entirely? On what authority does he make distinctions between historical fact/fiction. Christianity offers certainty, unbelief is irrational to the core. I agree with those who say not to cast pearls before swine…however, we are also told to try to win a Brother over, eventually if we are not heard, we are to dust our feet off though, and not engage in folly. We are to love Ed and all others, I hope the truth in this life penetrates before finding the truth on the other side when its too late.
By: Elizabeth Boille on December 5, 2016
at 3:59 am
“Jesus who is throughout the Bible, is even by ungodly scholars, recognized as having existed.”
Muhammad is believed to have existed as well. Does that mean he flew to heaven on a winged horse?
“The Bible of course stands on it’s own authority”
Which bible? Those accepted today include Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic, Tewahedo (Ethiopian), Syriac. See charts at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Testament. Those accepted before 325 included Gnostic, Marcion and others at http://www.ntcanon.org/table.shtml. Which group of MEN decided what you believe to be god’s perfect word?
By: edhensley on December 5, 2016
at 2:05 pm
I’m the Old Testament we aren’t to eat certain meat and is women need to go outside the village during our periods but we don’t do that either. Jesus came to fulfill the law. While we keep the commandments the laws aren’t ALL necessary after Jesus. Whether decorating a tree for fun for Christmas is considered something permissible such as meats would be between you and the Lord, let the Holy Spirit convict you.
By: Michelle on October 14, 2023
at 10:28 pm
It is Heathens that celebrate these holidays and it is vain. And putting Jesus in Christmas WHAT A BIG LIE he wasn’t born on that day THESE HOLIDAY”S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH JESUS THAT”S WHY THE PEOPLE THAT CELEBRATE THIS MESS ARE HEATHENS THE ONLY ONE YOU SHOULD BE WORSHIPPING IS JESUS SO MANY PEOPLE JUST DON”T KNOW READ KING JAMES VERSION BIBLE SEEK JESUS AND UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH FOR OUR LORD JESUS WILL RETURN SOON. AMEN
By: MYLORD JESUS OUR SAVIOR AND SALVATION on November 20, 2016
at 3:37 am
Okay…we have all this back and forthing about the decorated Christmas tree, celebrating the birth of Christ on Dec 25th, etc. Just so you know, I am a born-again believer and love celebrating the birth of my resurrected Savior on this special day. Yes, according to records, He was most probably born in September…so??? The point is…I celebrate Him all days of the year! Christmas at our home when I was small was full of wonder, excitement…a big celebration! We did have a beautiful tree with gifts piled high under it, my folks read the Christmas story, we had turkey, pumpkin pie…fruit piled high in a bowl, snow on the ground and toboggans and sleds…ALL the things we enjoyed! We DID NOT worship the tree…WE DID NOT worship the gifts…even when small children we knew Whom we worshipped and the reason for the Christmas Celebration…we knew JESUS in our home! All the beauty and the wonder of the tree all lit up represented, to us, the joy, beauty and wonder of His coming to earth JUST FOR US! You don’t have to argue about Christmas…if you don’t want a tree…don’t have one! If you don’t want to celebrate His birth on Dec. 25th…don’t celebrate it! However, you’re arguing and unkind comments about those of us who do. to my way of thinking, doesn’t represent a true Christian!
By: Missy Wis on December 9, 2016
at 4:16 pm
The definition of “true Christian” is somebody who agrees with you on almost everything regarding religion. I know Christians who say “true Christians accept gay marriage” and other Christians who say “true Christians want the death penalty for gays”. Similar statements on proper baptism, divorce, drinking alcohol, dancing, smoking, etc.
By: edhensley on December 9, 2016
at 7:04 pm
When Christian’s celebrate Christmas they are celebrating the birth of Christ, was He born on that date, probably not. No one knows when He was born for sure. So they are celebrating Jesus as you said. Be careful to not be like the Pharisees who Jesus preached against for creating law against that which Jesus wouldn’t have.
By: Michelle on October 14, 2023
at 10:31 pm
Christians arguing with each other provides evidence the bible is contradictory.
By: edhensley on October 15, 2023
at 1:31 am
Jesus was born in September 11 , so December 25 is Satan birthday not Jesus. Everything was a lies. We live all our lives in a Satan’s LIE
By: Olivia on September 12, 2021
at 11:15 am
Yep, that’s why they did the biggest false flag attack in America on 9/11 and also same reason you dial 911 when you have an emergency. All negative energy and frequencies flowing on the Lord’s birthday. Real eyes, realize real lies!
By: Robert Lance Briggs on November 30, 2022
at 5:50 pm
Please read Matthew 24:15 in duplex with 2 Thes 2:2-3;the Abomination of the Desolation is the Apostasy that came into the Holy Place which spiritually, the CHURCH of God!
By: mbock janvier on June 26, 2010
at 9:37 am
My nieghbor is a believer, how ever she is totaly into the old ( True Names ) like Yahweh,& Yahshua, celebrates the Sabbath every friday from dusk till saturday dusk. ect. She has a lot of booklets and stuff by a company called ( Master Lock ) She does not believe or celebrate Christmas, Say some thing about a silent J, that Jesus real name is Yahshua, she says the name Lord is a Pegan name. ect. What is your opinion? I am just asking, that’s all thank-you for your time,,,, Allan
By: Allan on August 18, 2010
at 5:34 am
I believe the same way your neighbor believes. When “jesus” was born he was born Hebrew in the hebrew alphabet there was not a J, jesus is a greek translation so there for his name is Yahshua, also “god” is just a title as is “mom” but your “:mom” does have a name like “Sharon” and god’s name is Yahweh!
By: krysten on November 26, 2011
at 1:54 pm
Who are you people? : ) I’ve come to believe in the same thing also, but in my new found understanding. I have found that I no longer have any one in which to share the Word of Yahweh with, most refuse to see (what I believe the Spirit of Yahweh has revealed to me). All I get is. I never saw that, heard that and so on, but the real sad part is no one I know takes the time to check it out. Sometimes I wonder if I’m even right in my beliefs.
By: Brian Byley on May 8, 2012
at 4:37 am
Yeshua is Jesus Hebrew name but remember the New Testament which is when Jesus born etc was written in Greek which is why it is Jesus. Still the same name the same person. It seems to me people are getting really leagalistic about the reminding more of the Pharisees
By: Michelle on October 14, 2023
at 10:34 pm
The J came from Latin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_(name)
Isho/Yesho (Aramaic East/West)–Yehoshua (Hebrew)–Yeshua (Hebrew)–Iēsous (Greek)–IESVS (Greek)–Iesu (Latin)–Jesus (English and most Western European languages)
The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is based on the Semitic root y-š-ʕ (Hebrew: ישע), meaning “to deliver; to rescue.”[12][13][14] Likely originating in proto-Semitic (yṯ’), it appears in several Semitic personal names outside of Hebrew, like in the Aramaic name Hadad Yith’i, meaning “Hadad is my salvation”. Its oldest recorded use is in an Amorite personal name from 2048 B.C.[15]
By the time the New Testament was written, the Septuagint had already transliterated ישוע (Yeshuaʿ) into Koine Greek as closely as possible in the 3rd-century BCE, the result being Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous). Since Greek had no equivalent to the Semitic letter ש shin [ʃ], it was replaced with a σ sigma [s], and a masculine singular ending [-s] was added in the nominative case, in order to allow the name to be inflected for case (nominative, accusative, etc.) in the grammar of the Greek language. The diphthongal [a] vowel of Masoretic Yehoshuaʿ or Yeshuaʿ would not have been present in Hebrew/Aramaic pronunciation during this period, and some scholars believe some dialects dropped the pharyngeal sound of the final letter ע ʿayin [ʕ], which in any case had no counterpart in ancient Greek. The Greek writings of Philo of Alexandria[16] and Josephus frequently mention this name. In the Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis, the name Iēsous comes from Hebrew/Aramaic and means “healer or physician, and saviour,” and that the earliest Christians were named Jessaeans based on this name before they were called Christians. This etymology of ‘physician’ may derive from the sect of the θεραπευταί (Therapeutae), of which Ephanius was familiar.[17]
From Greek, Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) moved into Latin at least by the time of the Vetus Latina. The morphological jump this time was not as large as previous changes between language families. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) was transliterated to Latin IESVS, where it stood for many centuries. The Latin name has an irregular declension, with a genitive, dative, ablative, and vocative of Jesu, accusative of Jesum, and nominative of Jesus. Minuscule (lower case) letters were developed around 800 and some time later the U was invented to distinguish the vowel sound from the consonantal sound and the J to distinguish the consonant from I. Similarly, Greek minuscules were invented about the same time, prior to that the name was written in capital letters (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ) or abbreviated as (ΙΗϹ) with a line over the top, see also Christogram.
Modern English Jesus derives from Early Middle English Iesu (attested from the 12th century). The name participated in the Great Vowel Shift in late Middle English (15th century). The letter J was first distinguished from ‘I’ by the Frenchman Pierre Ramus in the 16th century, but did not become common in Modern English until the 17th century, so that early 17th century works such as the first edition of the King James Version of the Bible (1611) continued to print the name with an I.[18]
From the Latin, the English language takes the forms Jesus (from the nominative form), and Jesu (from the vocative and oblique forms). Jesus is the predominantly used form, while Jesu lingers in some more archaic religious texts.
By: edhensley on October 15, 2023
at 1:41 am
@Allan, I looked for this “Master Lock” and I can’t find anything but locksmiths…you mind putting up a little more detail? Or could you email me? oppknocks10@mail.com…please?
@Brian Byley….MY SENTIMENTS and problem EXACTLY!! I even had a meeting with my Pastor and his wife…asking WHY on earth do we do this and that if it is NOT scriptural?? He said, well that is all based on your conviction! WHAT!?? I was sooo heart broken… It goes SO much deeper than just those things! that were mentioned in this article…I am trying to figure out where I can go to worship now…like no one WANTs to know truth…and furthermore they are upset and hurling the term “legalistic” at me…sigh….if anyone can help, PLEASE DO!!!!
Super sad, lonely, and disgusted at the world’s “Christians” today…
By: Harper on December 20, 2012
at 10:52 pm
Harper, please know that you are not alone in this crazy mixed up world.. I also went to my pastor about the Sabbath Day wondering why and by whos authority the day was changed to sunday..it is the 4th commamndment..I believe God is calling His people out…you can reach me or anybody else for that matter who wants to talk about the things of God..irish6795@gmail.com
By: annie on May 1, 2013
at 3:40 pm
Check out http://www.LetGodBeTrue.com for some really good resources on this information and much more!
By: s. on November 21, 2015
at 10:22 pm
One Christian sect pointing out the errors of all other Christian sects. A very common theme.
By: edhensley on December 5, 2015
at 10:29 pm
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him.
1st John 2:27
By: Even on December 14, 2015
at 8:19 pm
me too i need help lol i been gettin into gen 6 experiment and flat earth…
By: y on November 10, 2016
at 1:23 am
Hi Harper. I realize you posted your comment a long time ago, but I just now found this article. How are you doing in your faith? I understand how hard it is when we live in a lukewarm society with christians who don’t take their faith completely seriously. But there is a saying I think you would benefit from hearing. It goes “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, diversity. In all things, charity.” If someone is calling themselves a christian but saying they don’t believe Jesus really died for us, or saying we can get to heaven by our works alone instead of by Faith alone, call them out. If someone decorates a pretty Christmas tree or drinks a glass of wine occasionally, you can have conversations with them about your different views, but it doesn’t really matter. Ask them why their views are the way they are. Do they live the way they do because of a love for Jesus or a selfish love. And lastly while making the decision of whether it’s a matter of unity or diversity, do all of it in charity. Love. Be kind and respectful. I am ok with Christmas celebrations as long as the focus is on Christ my Savior, I am ok with responsible drinking on the occasion. I would never judge someone who has different beliefs on those topics. Those are a matter of diversity, and love. So here is a true, born again christian, full of love who probably has extremely different views than you, checking in on you. Making sure you are ok. Checking in on your faith. If we are joined together in Christ I want to make sure you are striving for the Father, and not falling behind. My prayers are with you, and I am praying you grow closer to Him and your heart and your eyes are fixed on His will.
By: anonymous on December 2, 2017
at 1:41 pm
you really need to know the truth? christianity was not there from the beginning. originally the bible was written in hebrew. when the bible was translated from hebrew to greek..they changed the name of the son of God from Yashuah to Jesus which was their God. they brought christianity to the whole world and the bible was written the name of their God. if you want the truth. start from there and maybe you will understand better. all the best
By: maureen john on December 18, 2017
at 10:09 am
Old Testament was written in Hebrew. Over 400 years later, the New Testament was written in Greek, using the Greek Septuagint to quote the Old Testament. Jesus, Yashuah, and Joshua are all the same name, just in different times and places. I do not believe Jesus was the name of any sort of Greek god.
By: edhensley on December 18, 2017
at 2:07 pm
Dear Harper
My husband and I left the institutional church almost 3 yrs ago because we felt so convicted of the false teaching. We feel as though God called is into the wilderness and has allowed us his helper, the holy spirit to teach us. We are closer to the Lord than ever because we are truly seeking him, not following others but following Christ’s teachings. It was lonely at first but there are people out there, in the wilderness just like us, worshipping in spirit and truth as the”church” we have found others on line to talk to and learn/ decent with. Keep in prayer and the Lord will deliver to his child! ~Martha
By: Martha on March 6, 2018
at 3:21 pm
she is right.. PRAISE YHWH!!!! my name is Scott im samoan 28 years old does ur friend date?lol
By: Skott on December 14, 2013
at 12:42 am
You’re neighbor is on the right track. We need to get away from Westernized Christianity and focus more on pursing YHVH in the way He desires to be pursued. The love of Adonai YHVH our Elohim is in keeping his commandments.
By: Rhett Knott on November 28, 2015
at 9:46 pm
Why should we follow a Bronze Age deity written in an almost dead language that has no punctuation or vowels? You describe god as a “He”. Does that mean he has a Y chromosome or a male reproductive organ?
By: edhensley on December 5, 2015
at 10:28 pm
The word the Lord and God is pagan anyone can be a Lord or a god he command us to call him by his name and it ain’t lord or God they took his true name from the bible replace it with Lord and God listen to your friend and we must do our homework study the truth is in our face read the word which is the bible
By: seer on December 13, 2015
at 5:28 pm
“verses 3 and 4 are still strong statements against cutting down trees and bringing them into a house to decorate, and these verses are a direct quote from God.”
I am searching for where it says anything about putting trees into a house. What about building houses out of wood and then painting them and putting stuff like gutters, glass, and lights on them?
By: Matt on November 28, 2010
at 6:22 pm
God certainly IS NOT against building a house, painting it and putting up gutters..and that line of thought is.rediculous.. Read Jeremiah Chap 10 verses 2-4. Here GOD is talking about customs..and HE tells us not to do or keep the customs of pagans. You can name it a Christmas tree or whatever..It is nowhere in the Bible commanded that we chould observe or do these things..in fact it is prohibited tp adopt these customs..man can not make anything holy..no matter what name we put to it..to be holy we must do what God tells us to do..Only HE can make us Holy..thru us by our obeying HIM.
if you truly want to Honor God..keep HIS Holy Days..as Jesus Did and the Apostles did. You will fin these Holy Days in Leviticus 23.
By: Phil on October 27, 2011
at 6:17 am
So are you saying that you don’t not recognize the authority of the early Church Fathers to adjourn the Council of Nicaea? Christians born north of Anatolia do not have to follow Hebrew law, and to throw away one of the oldest Indo-European cultural practices, one that predates Zoroaster and is meant only to celebrate the harvest, because the Hebrew tribes found it strange a foreign.. that makes sense, right? Europeans would not have been decorating trees if it was a religious practice, because the “European” branch of the Indo-European split off from the Caucuses long before the birth of Zoroaster, or even the construction of Sumer.
Stop trying to erase human history to fit in with your insane worldview. Asking Christian Europeans to give up decorating trees, would be like asking Roman Jews to not tear their tunics.
It’s a cultural thing that has no basis in religion.
By the way, the “pagans” your book is referring to, are the Zoroastrian Persians, whose theology your religion stole wholesale. The Zoroastrians were the first monotheists. King Solomon was more of a pagan than Zoroaster ever was. So yeah, add another mistaken misconception onto the pile of “things desert people thought they knew 1600 years ago”.
By: ateu da milo on June 3, 2015
at 3:56 am
Very good Phil, not only should we argue the point that these customs come from pagan (non believers of Yahweh) beliefs and that Yahweh doesnt want his children taking on these vain customs that do not honor him. ( we should all remember why we are in this fallen state of sin, it was because we (adam and eve) did things that Yahweh forbid. Also very important, Yahweh is pretty particular about how he wants his people to think, behave and live and what do you know, there is nothing in the bible that says that we should have anything that resembles a christmas tree, but rather “warns” of us of being sucked in by these (pagan) origin customs. How does a pagan custom or facsimile of honor Yahweh? It simply doesnt and is considered “vain” by HIM and he doesnt want us obedient believers to practice them as the pagans did. How much more needs to be said, Yahweh repeatedly in is word WARNS us over and over about doings the ways of nonbelievers. Christmas DEC 25 is a pagan date used by many, many pagan dieties (false elohim) simultaneously. This date is a pagan hand me down, quinky dink hah, I dont think so, Yahwehs adversary doesnt love him so he doesnt quit, remember he is the g-d of chaos. Yahweh is the elohim of truth, And these customs are truly the spirit of err. Those who love HIM, Yahweh, will obey him, just as Yahushua did and said If you love me you will obey my commands, DO we not believe the his obedience should also be ours, Are we not commanded to be like him. To all that have ears or in this case eyes, Emulate the things of Yahweh not the things of false G-ds and vain customs. YAhweh is everlasting, Seek the everlasting. Not the dead things of this world
HalleluYAHweh. | *J*/ Looking forward to the things of heaven
By: Frank Iam on November 15, 2011
at 2:59 am
December 25 was clearly a pagan holiday long before it became a Christian holiday. Likewise, Yahweh was once a part of the Council of El and had a consort named Asherah.
By: edhensley on November 24, 2011
at 1:19 am
Have you ever asked why Dec 25 was picked ? What possible connection is there between the Unconquored Sun and God of the Jesus and the Jews. The simple answer is none – they are the same.
That is why all major Jewish and Christian holidays occur at major points in the life of the Sun throughout the year, passover – Spring equinox etc. Most christians deny the connection between astrology and the jewish religion. However if one looks objectively one can see many many connections.
– 12 tribes, apostles etc = 12 months
– major holidays = equixnoxs
– heaven = where the stars live.
– 7 days of the week = 7 visible heavenly bodies.
– arrangement of the 12 tribes = matches their zodiac signs
– the animal representations of each of the gospel (lion, eagle, man etc) = solid zodiac signs.
– the christian fish symbol = pisces, Jesus was born when the age of aquarius begun. Jesus fished men, apostles were fisherman.
– 3 wise men used astrology to find jesus – Why god would use something he banned to direct attention to his son ?
– The Sun dies at the winter equinox for 3 days at the Southern cross.
–
By: mP on December 1, 2011
at 5:03 am
If you studied the appointed times ..feast you would know that DEC 25 was never picked by Hebrews or God…
Most of your points were amalgamated by the Catholic Church …
By: jared on November 21, 2013
at 6:31 am
And Easter is amalgamated by the Catholic Church from European pagan religions, etc. Christianity is one big amalgamation.
By: edhensley on November 21, 2013
at 2:00 pm
The Bible does not say anything about 3 wise men – wise men, yes but definately not 3. Youtube sites that are quite useful: The Fuel Project, Christmassisalie and for a more scientific approach Discover Ministries
By: Susan Odendaal on December 23, 2013
at 6:54 pm
Is there a church or denomination other than Jehova’s Witnesses that prohibits incorporating Christmas trees, Santa, wreaths, etc into Christmas celebrations?
By: Durham on November 28, 2011
at 7:02 pm
Yes, there are several. At one time the Worldwide Church of God prohibited Christmas trees, but it has changed it’s mind as it has split into many splinter groups (if you confuse the groups, they will get really mad at you!).
http://www.thercg.org/questions/p001.a.html
“The use of such a tree amounts to idolatry. This is a transgression of God’s law, stated in Exodus 20:4-6.”
By: edhensley on November 28, 2011
at 7:58 pm
I am a simple, uneducated person and I look for answers to things in the bible that seem to be contradictory. What I know about God is mostly personal experience and what I truly believe is a loving relationship between God and I. It seems to me that nit picking verses in the bible makes a person miss the whole message the God I believe in wants us to get. If He doesn’t want me to cut down a tree and adorn it in my home, then how does he feel about me cutting flowers and admiring them in a vase? I do not worship my Christmas tree. Christmas trees bring me such sweet joy and valuable family time putting it up together. My God approves of joy and family fun. I married into a family who are members of World Wide Church of God. Never once have I heard a positive sermon that touched my heart. It was always negative and fear based. Butter will kill you, soft drinks will kill you, and of course that people shouldn’t worship Christmas trees. It makes me sad for people who make an effort to separate themselves from almost all other people. The God I love is never exclusive, but inclusive. I am aware that I should keep my eyes open and not be involved in things that are not about love. Jesus came to free us from the “law” and taught about loving each other and knowing the grace and mercy of God. There are many things of the bible I do not believe were instructions from God, but from power hungry men. Maybe I am loving and walking with a different God than the real “one true God”. I don’t believe God gives a hoot about Christmas trees. He cares about my character and how I treat others. Speaking of using Dec. 25 as the day we say Jesus was born, the first month of the Jewish calendar at one time started around what we now call the middle of March and there is a day called the “day of Conception” which I am totally ignorant about. But Dec.25 is approximately 9 months from the day of conception, so… We don’t know the date of Jesus’ birth. But I believe He is just pleased we celebrate his birth. If it were important to God that we know the date of Jesus’ birth, He would have made it known. I believe God is much too intelligent, complex and awesome to give one hoot about Christmas trees and correct birth dates. That’s just me though.
By: BGolden on April 3, 2015
at 9:31 am
There are multiple versions of Christianity today, as there were before the Council of Nicea. You are more of the Unitarian or Deist than fundamentalist Christian, as I was raised. I wish all Christians were more like you.
By: edhensley on April 3, 2015
at 12:44 pm
The Church of God Seventh Day which is found on
http://www.cog7day.org is also another church that does not practice christmas and what it stands for.
By: Marie on June 2, 2014
at 1:06 am
Yes , the Hebrew Israelites. Not a church, but the real chosen Jews from the 12 Tribes of Israel. The so called African Americans, the so called Hispanics and American Indians.
By: April on December 13, 2014
at 6:47 am
You can look into True Jesus Church. I think forbid is a bit harsh, as no one can truly forbid you to do anything that is out of your own will. However, there are churches who do not believe celebrating Christmas is biblical, and teach that. One valid explanation is that if we truly believe Jesus Christ to be God, then God would not have a birthday. There is no beginning and no end for God. To set a birthdate for God would be degrading Him to the status of His creation when He is the Creator. Furthermore, God had given many commandments for His disciples to follow, but His birthdate was not one of them. Jesus had said to remember His death but never mentioned to remember His birth. We can understand that the only reason God had to come in the flesh is for the purpose of dying on the cross to complete the plan of Salvation for mankind. That is why He instructed us to remember His death, it is a remembrance of His love and sacrifice for us, and for us to walk the path to Salvation. Even then, a date of death was not specified. Since many religiously related holidays nowadays have pagan influences, some churches do not consider them biblical, and therefore, do not celebrate them even though they still believed that Jesus Christ is God, and the Word was flesh (John 1).
By: TL on December 13, 2014
at 7:40 am
United church of God
By: Victor on December 24, 2015
at 8:51 pm
True Jesus Church. http://www.tjc.org
By: TLee on December 27, 2015
at 3:03 am
What cannot be denied is the ancient AND CURRENT practice of worshiping trees/groves/etc. There is no doubt where the yule time tree came from: it came from pagan Europe (and broader). It DID NOT come from Jesus or God or the Bible. The decorated tree is a worldly, materialistic, man-made idol. Period. Christians who practice “the tree” ceremony are mimicking tree rituals found in pagan antiquity. Have fun!
By: GaryS on November 30, 2011
at 4:22 am
Lets not forget that the menorah is paying homage to Asherah. Now what is a pagan fertility symbol doing in Jewish life ?
By: mP on December 1, 2011
at 5:06 am
Is that why Menorah actually mentioned in the bible as good while the tree is only mentioned as bad? Give me a break. In old times, the Jews who sinned against God did pair him up with a pagan goddess, but nobody knows for a fact who copied who when it comes to the one Jewish holiday that has a pagan counter part, all we know is that archeology favors the Devil and will say the Jews copied but they have no solid evidence. Just like that fairy tail evolution lol.
By: RL on December 25, 2015
at 1:35 am
Is that any more pagan than decorating your home with wall paintings, vases, beautiful rugs (when the hard wood floor, tile, or current carpet is adequate in it’s functional purpose), coordinating curtins, stylish blinds, special nic nacs, how about smartphones/iphones when regular basic phone will do? We cut down forest trees all the time and carve them into log furniture, houses, barnes, decorative accents people use in their homes (cabinets, bowls, picture frames). Just a thought. By having todays home you are following the culture trend of Americas idea of a home
By: JLMTIK on December 6, 2011
at 4:00 pm
The Jehovah Witnesses dont believe in hell either. I know they say they are christian but they are not. So the whole tree argument is out the door.
By: Tj on December 23, 2011
at 11:25 pm
[…] Bible specifically condemns the practice of cutting down trees and decorating them. (And it’s a “This is what the Lord […]
By: The surreality of the season | No Forbidden Questions on December 24, 2011
at 5:41 pm
really? this is talking about idols…not CHRISTmas trees!!!! i think you should read it more thoroughly…
By: alycia on April 5, 2012
at 3:39 pm
Several Christian denominations prohibit Christmas trees because of these verses, so your interpretation is not representative of all Christians. Decorating a tree is not unique to Christianity and preceded Christianity by centuries. http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-christmas-trees
By: edhensley on April 9, 2012
at 3:38 pm
This is very true! I loved this article! Especially the part about the different Bible versions. How cool!
By: Jenae on June 29, 2012
at 12:59 am
Deuteronomy 16:21 “Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Yahweh thy Elohim, which thou shalt make thee.”
By: Ash on August 28, 2012
at 5:09 am
Asherah was the consort of Yahweh prior to the establishment of monotheistic Judaism. Ancient Israel was polytheistic, then monolithic (worsipped only 1 god but believed in others), then monotheistic (believed in only 1 god). That is why Asherah poles are ordered torn down because this is a reference to Israel’s polytheistic past.
http://news.discovery.com/history/god-wife-yahweh-asherah-110318.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zw3fl
http://www.cambridge.org/gb/knowledge/isbn/item1161635/?site_locale=en_GB
By: edhensley on August 29, 2012
at 7:49 pm
Christians are very disbedient and no way are solely obeying God. It is nothing confusing about that passage of scripture. Just as birthdays where does it say we are to celebrate them? I read where when one is born into the world to cry and when one die to rejoice. Does Christians do this no? You would think someone with the Holy Spirit in them would obey. This is why they are not respected.
By: dvanilla on September 5, 2012
at 7:44 pm
My sentiments exactly, but how dose one deal with this issue with a spouse who does not have this understaning. I feel the need/desire to say not in my house, if you want observe it then do it out side.
By: Brian on September 6, 2012
at 3:29 am
This is soon tru
By: marcus on October 3, 2012
at 4:35 am
Sad some “Christians” think the old testament is of no concern u know the “Torah” the very one that Yeshua aka “Jesus” read and adhered to add he said “I did.mp4 come to change the laws” “not one jot shall be changed” sad people don’t read what Holy days the Lord they claim to love observed! Sad that it was pagans who cut the trees nailed so they didn’t topple and THE LORD STATES WE ARE TO HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE HIM SO PLEASE CHRISTIANS SHOW ME WHERE THERE WERE 3 WISEMEN NOPE “THE WISEMEN” ALSO THE MAGGAI DIDN’T GO TO THE MANGER NOR WAS CHRIST A BABY IT WAS A HOUSE READ PEOPLE. BUT MORE IMPORTANT PLEASE QUOTE SCRIPTURE TELLING US TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY?? DON’T FORGET YESHUA SAID WILL U FOLLOW MY WORD OUR THE TRADITIONS (PAGAN WAYS) OF YOUR FATHERS. HE ALSO SAID I’VE TOLD U HOW TO WORSHIP SO WHERE IS HIM TELLING US TO MAKE A DAY THAT WAS STARTED BY PAGANS DUE TO FACT OURS DARKEST DAY OF YEAR LIE TO OR KIDS SAY ITS HIS BIRTHDAY WHEN ITS CLEARLY NOT THEN COMMIT ALMOST EVERY SIN ON THAT DAY GREED, IDOLATRY, DEBT, GLUTTONY, LIES, ECT PLEASE SHOW ME THIS SCRIPTURE? FYI ITS MY 1ST NON CHRISTMAS HAVING YEAR I’M ASHAMED I TAUGHT MY CHILDREN THIS PAGAN LIE WORSHIP BULL 😦
By: Lacy on December 5, 2012
at 3:10 pm
way to go my hubby and I have recently had our eyes open to the truth and how satan is deceiving most every one
By: AMM on July 2, 2013
at 9:20 pm
I have shared by copy/paste, many of the posts in this thread and This one by Lacy is AWESOME!!! I was honored to share it!! My family and I have been honoring God for our entire lives as christians but as of 4 years ago, we realized that calling yourself a christian is NOTHING to be proud of. This is our 4th year of not celebrating the pagan “holiday” called christmas and we could never be happier!! Praise you Yeshua!!!
By: Jennifer on December 17, 2013
at 10:31 am
I wonder how much it hurts God to see us getting consumed by the legalism of obscure points while we miss the opportunity to enjoy Him, love Him and serve Him?
By: Blair Turner on December 16, 2012
at 3:13 am
Your question presupposes god is male. How do you know this?
By: edhensley on December 16, 2012
at 7:57 pm
Jesus calls God his father. And tells us to pray Our Father in heaven.
By: AMM on July 2, 2013
at 9:15 pm
That’s what they were doing with the golden calf …the scripture is clear God was not happy being worshiped in pagan ways.
By: jared on November 21, 2013
at 6:46 am
Brian Byley — right on! People don’t want to have their beliefs challenged! They only want to see and hear what they feel comfortable with… in most cases this means man-made traditions!
By: lisa on January 8, 2013
at 5:56 am
PS. I also had the same problem. Some years ago I asked my pastor why he teaches that people go straight to heaven/hell when they die when the bible clearly teaches that the dead know nothing and are ‘asleep’ in death until their resurrection at the day of judgement. If one is already in heaven or hell, then what is the point of judgement day? “Oh well” he says. “I’m not sure exactly where they are, but we know we can trust in the Lord”. What a disappointing response from some-one who ought to know better! I have also had the same problem when mentioning other discrepancies regarding what the bible says and what is taught in most churches. People just say “I’ve never seen/heard that” but make no effort to investigate further (like they don’t want to know as then they would be accountable for not changing their ways). When you show them the verse/s you are referring to they come up with some excuse or another, or (if they can’t think of any), resort to comparing you with one of the pharisees of Jesus’ time by calling you ‘legalistic’. “You should stop nit-picking and focus on the bigger picture” they say. “After-all, we should be focusing on loving God and our neighbour since that is God’s greatest commandment. That’s what the bible is really about… blah, blah, blah”. Well, in my opinion, if you love your God then you don’t want to be offending Him by disobeying his word. And if you love your neighbour you want to be teaching him the truth. Why else did God provide us with all these scriptures. He could have just provided us with two sentences and been done with it! I can’t see why people who appear to be so devoted to their ‘Lord and Saviour’ can be so flippant about something so important! They are refusing to take guidance and counsel from the word of their very own “beloved saviour”!
By: lisa on January 8, 2013
at 6:14 am
Hi Lisa..this post is obviously late..lol..but i just stumbled onto it when looking up scripture about easter and christmas..i completely agree with you about how people do not want to look into scripture more than they have to..God tells us to come out from among them…i pray that you get back on this site so we can talk some more about the true things of God!!!please e-mail me at irish6795@gmail.com
By: annie on May 1, 2013
at 3:49 pm
please read Luke vers 16:19-31 about haven and hall.
By: Eu on December 14, 2013
at 12:07 am
Sorry, I mean verse.
By: Eu on December 14, 2013
at 12:20 am
Lisa, your comment is interesting, as the Qur’an also compares death to sleep until all mankind is brought forth and stands before Allah on the Last Day. It is commonly believed that there is reward or punishment in the grave, but this is said to occur before judgement, and there is no Quranic basis for such claims.
By: Heather on December 2, 2016
at 3:20 am
While I fully understand that a Christmas tree is against the laws of Yahweh, are you keeping all the other laws, no pork, woman wearing dresses and keeping long hair, men having beards, etc.. After all does the bible not give these laws as well. If memory serves me well I think there are 538 laws/commandments in the bible.
By: wyatt on June 30, 2013
at 2:41 pm
I have not read if you were responding to me or someone else. I do not believe the bible to be the perfect word of god, so I do not keep all of the other laws.
By: edhensley on July 1, 2013
at 1:31 am
Attention Wyatt: Following all of those ways/laws is something that we could never fully live up to as we will never be actual Jews. We can merely follow what we are commanded to follow by living by the ways of the Torah. We were not his chosen people, so we cannot live by those laws until we can understand them in their entirety, if even then. It is not ideal to change all of your ways, if your were a prior christian, until you have prayed about it, studied it, learned and Yahweh made the correct and right on time changes in your heart. Only then will we know that it is time to make those changes and begin living by them. As for now, since christmas is a paganistic man-made worldly holiday that most of us have been molded to know, love and celebrate, it is important that this truth come to our attention in the early stages of our new knowledge of the right ways to live by the laws of our Heavenly Father so that we may begin our new journey and start to understand what Yahweh really wants us to know. All of it is just SUCH a beautiful eye opening thing!!! PRAISE YESHUA!!!
By: Jennifer on December 17, 2013
at 10:46 am
Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
By: Susan Odendaal on December 23, 2013
at 7:00 pm
I agree. There are other scriptures about the pagan worship under green trees. That the isralites turned to. This is why God punished them so often. What is called christmas today originated as tammuzes birthday ezekiel 8:12 -18. Warns us not to worship tammuz
By: AMM on July 2, 2013
at 9:11 pm
In additional to trees, verse 11&12 are describing the Catholic elite ceremonies (ie. @ Vatican, etc.)…scepters in hand, smoking incense, carved idols in a temple, etc!
By: Erin on November 1, 2014
at 4:17 am
The Roman Catholics do not follow the Bible as it applies to worship, they follow traditions of men, although they do preach Christ Crucified, and repentance of sin.
The RCC needs to come back to the scriptures, as do the other denominations, specifically the ones that condone sin.
By: Robert Cox on November 2, 2014
at 5:54 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherah_pole
By: michael on September 12, 2013
at 9:44 pm
Even though it would be very interesting if the Bible did indeed condemn the use of the custom that eventually evolve into the christmas tree (because it is entirely non christian in origin) notice how this translation renders Jeremiah 10:3-5…
“3. For the customs of the peoples are a delusion. It is just a tree of the forest that is cut down, worked by the hands of the craftsman with his tool.
4. They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails so that it will not fall over.
5. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, nor can they do any good.”
It becomes evident that the tree and it’s adorning, though a reference to non-Jewish practices, is not necessarily being condemned in this particular passage. Rather, these descriptions are metaphoric, just like the scarecrow that is mentioned in the very next verse.
By: Allen on October 11, 2013
at 3:18 am
I discussed in my comments that the verses were talking about idolatry, but I also noted that many Christian sects still forbid Christmas trees to this day.
By: edhensley on October 15, 2013
at 12:18 pm
It has always been GOD’s perspective to look into the heart and know the purpose, regardless of the activity. In the discussions above, we see a few verses regarding evergreen trees and how the darkness of the hearts were intended upon evil. There are many more verses in GOD’s Hebrew text about cypress, cedar and fir, that are all “evergreens.” And these verses talk to the evergreen beauty, fragrance and durability, pointing us back to the Creator and His purpose. Numerous verses speak to how GOD designed His first stationary tabernacle – Solomon’s Temple and how these evergreens were to adorn His Sanctuary.
No matter if the subject is about a tree or food, GOD’s word is clear, do nothing in vain concede and do nothing that may cause a child of His to stumble. Let us use all of GOD’s creation to worship Him.
By: Duncan Powell on November 19, 2013
at 3:30 am
“GOD’S perspective” has always been the interpretation of man and coincides with the perspective of the interpreter. There are Christians who interpret these verses to prohibit the display of Christmas trees, and they believe prohibiting Christmas trees is the perspective of GOD. Those Christians of history who owned slaves, tortured and killed Giordano Bruno (http://space.about.com/cs/astronomyhistory/a/giordanobruno.htm), banned the books of Galileo and Copernicus, killed countless Jews in a variety of pogroms, performed a complete genocide of the Cathars, etc, all believed they had “GOD’s perspective”, just as you do.
I am not implying that you are as evil as those mentioned above. Your version of Christianity probably has a good deal of humanism in it thanks to the Enlightenment.
By: edhensley on November 19, 2013
at 1:49 pm
http://godisimaginary.com/
By: Truth on November 28, 2013
at 1:49 pm
The scripture is specifically speaking to the custom/s being a “Delusion” which means a belief that is not true, would it matter if someone brought a rock into their house and adorned it? There is no scripture directly against such a practice as adorning a rock.
By: Robert Cox on December 7, 2013
at 2:33 am
If the meaning is so clear, why do millions of Christians have a completely different understanding of these verses?
By: edhensley on December 9, 2013
at 2:55 am
The Bible is amazing, who other than Jesus Christ has such opposition from the world and outright attacks from Satan?
Muhammad, Joesph Smith and others like them are some of the false prophets our Lord told us would come. Each was touched by an evil spirit, each took other men’s wives and had inappropriate relationships. Each denies the divinity of Christ.
We don’t see such issues in other religions, such as Buddhism, as they have no truth or bearing on human salvation. Look at all the false preachers, priest who commit terrible acts, outright frauds who pretend to represent the Lord Jesus.
The tradition of Santa Claus, a relatively new tradition, is absolute blasphemy, as this specific lie breaks the first commandment, as does any other religion who places a man before God.
The debate as to a Christmas tree is worthy of consideration, and if someone believes it is a stumbling block they should always side on caution and reverence.
Personally I believe anything can be an Idol, for even a word such as Jesus has no power, and nether does a tree.
All that has power is God and Christ and the Spirit, and even if we were all born sightless, never seeing the written word, and deaf, never knowing spoken language, that would never change the truth, that God is life and we are dead in the flesh without our Lord.
By: Robert Cox on December 9, 2013
at 3:54 am
What do you think alot of idols were made of, rock and other matter that cant do a thing for you. try telling that rock to bring you supper, Yah has brought many suppers in the form of creational food, animals and fruit and vegetables, if you want to play with words , Why dont you try scrabble , its safer for you. Dont provoke your maker
By: It is I on December 10, 2013
at 4:56 am
Praying to Yahweh does not get you food. Farmers grow crops, ranchers raise animals, lots of people are involved in processing and delivering the food, and finally someone prepares it. If god is providing the food, why does he provide an abundance of it the wealthy (regardless of their religion) while thousands of innocent children (and adults) die of hunger each day (regardless of their religion).
If you want to thank Jesus, thank all the migrant farm workers named Jesus who are involved in the food production process (as well as all others not named Jesus).
By: edhensley on December 21, 2013
at 4:16 am
The scripture says do not worship God the way the heathens do. Do not learn their ways.. because they are counterfit piftures.
Changing the argument to a rock does not change what the bible says about the ways of the heathen.
By: j s on December 9, 2013
at 3:14 am
I agree worshiping a rock is also a fools errand.
“Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.”
Followed any of this scripture from Deuteronomy 12 lately?
” And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath”
“Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.”
Is this contradiction in the word of God?
By: Robert Cox on December 10, 2013
at 12:33 am
The bible is in contradiction with the first amendment of the US Constitution (religious freedom).
By: edhensley on December 21, 2013
at 4:09 am
Agree completely, the original intent of the first amendment is dead. The founders never envisioned godless practices such as witchcraft deemed “worthy” of consecration by our government.
By: Robert Cox on December 21, 2013
at 8:36 am
Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting “Jesus Christ,” so that it would read “A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;” the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.
-Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom
I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshiped by many who think themselves Christians.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Richard Price, Jan. 8, 1789 (Richard Price had written to TJ on Oct. 26. about the harm done by religion and wrote “Would not Society be better without Such religions? Is Atheism less pernicious than Demonism?”)
By: edhensley on December 21, 2013
at 1:38 pm
Very interesting, I will have to investigate your assertion further. I know Jefferson was a Universalist, from some readings I had done previously.
I also know some of his quotes have been truncated and used in a less than ingenuous manner in the past, usually due to limited research or having been gleaned from websites with an anti Christian agenda.
.
By: Robert Cox on December 21, 2013
at 1:54 pm
Jefferson could be considered a Deist or Universalist. He did question the very existence of god. I have been to the Smithsonian and have seen the Jefferson Bible, in which he cut out all the sections he believed were myth. There was not much left.
My response was regarding your assertion that our founding fathers would not have “consecrated” witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials had occurred relatively recently before our country was formed. 20 innocent people were murdered in the name of Christianity by Christian leaders. This (and many other events/wars/pogroms/inquisitions prior) had a huge influence on why our founding fathers voted not to include Jesus, Christ, etc, in the constitution. Most of our founding fathers chose to separate government from religion and all permitted men to have a free conscious to believe what they wanted. Our constitution does not “consecrate” witchcraft, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or any other religion or non-religion.
By: edhensley on December 21, 2013
at 5:56 pm
Yes, I have seen Jefferson’s version of the Bible, yet not the original, in person. I might have to look into this further. I am not sure what this dialog has to do with the original discussion or my question, although it is interesting.
By: Robert Cox on December 22, 2013
at 2:20 am
We have been born in a time, and now reside in a moment where being a believer in the Lord Jesus, the Word of God, could cost us dearly.
I have thought in earnest about the founding of our country, and if it was indeed proper and right to do so.
We could very well be making the decision soon as whether or not we will be going gently into that good night.
By: Robert Cox on December 22, 2013
at 2:31 am
Holiness churches prohibit Christmas, easter, Halloween and so forth. They also observe the sabbath day on Saturday and not on Sunday. Always read your bible yourself, don’t always depend on what your preacher tells you.
By: Kentrina on December 22, 2013
at 3:00 am
check out the United Church of God website. http://www.ucg.org they have live webcasts of their weekly Saturday Sabbath services from Cincinatti OH, because the Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week – Saturday, and is a commandment. the special thing about this church is that they have much FREE literature that can be downloaded or requested AND there are Ministry staff that is available for FREE counsel or questions. this organization is ALL about quoting directly from the Bible. any – and i mean any question you have, they can reference Scriptures from the Bible. their website is very extensive and there is absolutely no fees or calling because they believe their purpose is to share the message – not push the message.
*in the Bible, God commands the (7) Feasts we are to rejoice and celebrate in. there are booklets for FREE available on this website regarding this, also.
*i have perused most of these posts on the subject of xmas. I believe in the Bible and have total faith it is written for our own good. if I have a question, I look to the Bible to find my answer. I decide what to believe in and what not to believe in From the bible. there is absolutely nowhere in any Bible that tells us in a diluted way or a translated way to celebrate Jesus’ birth, let alone how to do it. there Is, however, beginning in Leviticus 23, clear cut Feasts of the Lord that we Are directed to keep. no matter how many versions of the Bible i read, there is none that say anything about the man made december 25th being any type of special day or that is is to be rejoiced or celebrated.
**this is always one of my favorite questions to ask someone on ‘xmas’ – why is everyone getting gifts for each other when it is not even proclaimed to be any of their birthdays? seems pretty odd to me.
By: Jan on October 14, 2015
at 12:22 pm
And other groups have their websites… http://armstrongismlibrary.blogspot.com/2014/09/united-church-of-god-and-its-culture-of.html
By: edhensley on October 19, 2015
at 12:02 am
“…Old Testament passage, so obviously not about Christmas Trees…”
Not so obvious. Christmas was around a long time before the supposed “birth of Christ”, but it was celebrated as “Satunalia”. When Romans created Christianty to control the masses with the opiate of a new religion, they wanted as smooth of a conversion as possible, so they converted pagan holidays into “Christian” ones. Ever wonder what eggs, baby rabbits and chicks have to do with Jesus? Absolutely nothing, other than Easter, which was a spring fertility celebration before Romans chose it for another Christian holiday, (to celebrate something that never actually happened).
So people taking trees into their homes in a (pagan) celebration and decorating them is most likely another thing that just went with the territory of putting your false religion on top of another’s customs. What do Santa Claus, reindeer, “Christmas” trees and Jesus have in common. Again, absolutely nothing.
The human beings who wrote the “Bible” were threatened by pagan practices and wanted to keep themselves separate by not taking part in the pagan rituals and beliefs such as the bringing in and adorning of trees, so they wrote it down and told everyone it was “God’s Will” that no trees be brought in houses and decorated. Also in the same book, mortal human men wrote rules and passed them off as “The Will of God” such as death to homosexuals (Leviticus 20:13), no shaving the sides of your beard, death to all sorts of offenders and other rules concerning diet and how to live. Basically, one group of MORTALS devising a way to control the actions of other mortals. All well and good a couple thousand years ago, but really in this modern day it’s super ridiculous that it is so persistent and people actually take it seriously.
By: Bear on December 25, 2013
at 1:29 pm
There is nothing “enlightening” in regards to your comment, all of which is common knowledge. December 25 is the date that Christians decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, unless one would happen to be Eastern Orthodox or Russian Orthodox who use the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian Calendar. Would I be correct in assuming you would still have issue with the date of Christmas, or Christ’s Mass, being on January 7th?
The Pagan traditions were actually forms of worship, the “tree” was decked in silver and gold in order to appease the spirits that dwelt within them. Christians do not worship trees. The Roman holiday was called, “Saturnalia” not “Satunalia”, the key or root being Saturn, a Roman deity, the date of this Worship was December 17th and based on the Julian Calendar when converted to the Gregorian Calendar the date would be December 30th.
What shouldn’t be taken seriously are poorly constructed and haphazardly researched comments on the internet.
By: Robert Cox on December 25, 2013
at 8:11 pm
For all of those trying to follow the word in the Scriptures, including the Christmas tree, keeping the Sabbath, etc…, I would like to bring your attention to a church that you might be searching for: True Jesus Church @ http://www.tjc.org
By: tl on November 15, 2014
at 8:40 am
I have been to many churches that claim to be the “true church”, some in more degree than others. The following claims from the statement of faith are disputed by many bible-believing Christians.
So if a Christian is working with Eskimos or Inuit people near the north pole, they must Baptize new converts in freezing cold natural water, even if it is a risk to someone’s health. Surely if they Baptize in a warm indoor bath the god you worship will not accept them.
By: edhensley on November 16, 2014
at 12:42 pm
Hi Ed,
I’m glad you took the time to browse the website. There is a common misunderstanding regarding the name ‘True Jesus Church’ being standoff-ish. ‘True’ is referring to God, who is the only true God. ‘Jesus’ refers to the mediator between men and God. ‘Church’ refers to the believers whom Jesus redeemed through His blood. Hence, ‘True’, ‘Jesus’, ‘Church’, in that order. It illustrates the relationship and reconciliation between God and mankind through Jesus Christ. I hope that helps.
As far as baptism in living water is concerned. I think there is a huge discrepancy between God’s expectations of our faith, and our expectations of our faith. Human being many times diminish the power of God by thinking in human terms, thinking certain things are impossible or undoable. Is God not great enough to overcome ice and cold? Is God not the creator of the human body that He cannot preserve the human body to the elements when one has faith enough to follow in His footsteps? Many times we as humans think for God, and in doing so, limit God’s chance to show us great miracles and signs. Is anything impossible for God? Jesus Christ set the example and baptized in the Jordan River even though He did not need to be baptized, as He is without sin.
Truly, ice have been broken for baptism, and the person who got baptized did not get sick. On the contrary, I have seen many illnesses healed in the process of baptism. A close friend of mine’s husband was bed bound. He finally accepted the truth and to be baptized. He came to the baptism site in a wheel chair, three men had to carry him into the river, he was almost 300 lbs. After he was baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in full immersion, he was able to walk to the shore by himself. That is a miracle I was blessed enough to witness, and a testimony to be shared. This was December in Heidelberg, Germany, which is very cold. Nothing is impossible for God if we have faith and trust.
Here’s a verse for consideration:
Jeremiah 2:13New King James Version (NKJV)
13 “For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Ed, I truly hope you have the chance to truly experience God from the Scriptures, and to experience how powerful God can be. Allow God to be God, and not limit Him with our limited understanding and fragilities of being in the flesh. In doing so, you can experience great miracles. After all, He has given us many promises, warnings, and examples to follow, here are a few:
“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
3“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?…Thus you have made the commandment[d] of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And[e] honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”[f] Matthew 15
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13
May the Lord continue to guide us into His truth. I would love to discuss with you further if you are interested.
By: tl on November 18, 2014
at 11:57 pm
Your miracle story is not impressive at all, as I have heard similar stories from Muslims, Catholics (host miracles), and others. I think you should investigate http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/.
You keep referring to god as He and Him. Have you seen his male reproductive organ or his Y Chromosome?
By: edhensley on November 19, 2014
at 12:13 am
Living water, as described by our Lord Jesus Christ is not H2O.
By: Robert Cox on November 19, 2014
at 5:54 am
Thank you for admitting that the bible is often metaphor and not literal.
By: edhensley on November 28, 2014
at 1:44 am
[…] were grafted into is not being practiced. Indeed, this strange creature incorporating ancient Pagan Rituals are forbidden by G_D and The Mashiach. This is why I have chosen Matthew Chapter 13 as the […]
By: DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE DENY’S WHAT YESHUA SAID ABOUT “HIS KINGDOM”! Part 1 | TO THE NATIONS on November 28, 2014
at 7:03 pm
This is classic. You use the word to push your own agenda of judgement and self righteousness. God himself only wrote the tablets Moses carried down from the mountain. Everything else is speculation and top say direct quote from God is a little presumptuous. It also says a woman can not be touched for five months after conceiving. I’m sure you follow those direct quotes as well. I bring an evergreen tree into my home and talk to my kids about life and how Jesus promises everlasting life just like the evergreen tree. I don’t worship it, duh. Lay your hang ups on someone else! Read Matthew Mark Luke and John study the teaching. Judge not…fill in the blank.
By: Jennifer on December 10, 2014
at 3:57 pm
Do you have these tablets? Why would the creator of the universe write something down that is so important only to have it destroyed? Why do Catholics, Protestants, and Jews interpret 3 different sets of 10 Commandments from these tablets?
How do you know god is male? Have you seen his Y chromosome or his male reproductive organ?
If you read the About section of the blog, you would know that I do not follow any of these scriptures. There are many people who call themselves Christians who claim that god and the bible forbid Christmas trees. I am not one of them.
I do not have any religious hangups. I have read the bible (66 book protestant version) from cover to cover twice, and I have read the Christian apocryphal books once, and I have have read some additional Jewish apocryphal books.
By: edhensley on December 10, 2014
at 4:27 pm
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By: Christmas Quotes BibleDanish's Story | Danish's Story on December 25, 2014
at 7:48 am
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By: Christmas Quotes Bible - Search Yours on December 25, 2014
at 9:00 pm
The Torah, G-D’s word tells us what and how to celebrate. Leviticus 23 gives us what we need to know to follow, and when to do it. These are the Festivals of YHVH .
And Yeshua would have had to followed them to be the perfect “Lamb of G-D”. He was perfect. Just as the lamb had to be for the Passover. Follow G-D’s days and times that He has given us to be “His people” and “He our G-D”. Do not follow the world or pagans.
Praise be to You, Lord our G-D, King of the Universe. Who sanctified us with His commandments.
By: Wayne on December 26, 2014
at 12:32 pm
How is your response any different from the following response?
By: edhensley on December 26, 2014
at 11:14 pm
YHVH is the only one true G-D. G-D of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Father of the only true Messiah Yeshua.
There are two kinds of people in the world….Believers and non-believers. Everyone can make their choice.
Please don’t try to “inject” your beliefs into my writing about my G-D. A false moon g-d is not the true G-D of Isreal.
I’m writing in truth. You are just trying to make fun of it. Shame on you!
By: Wayne on December 27, 2014
at 2:48 pm
First of all, you provided no real differences between yourself and Muslim fundamentalists.
People do not “choose” to believe something. I do not choose to believe in gravity. I can not choose to believe I can fly and then try to fool myself by flying off the top of a building. People believe things based upon evidence, experience, or accepting what they have been told for years as children by their parents. Hindu children do not choose to be non-believers in Christianity. I did not choose to be an atheist. It is simply what makes the most sense to me based upon years of bible and early Christianities studies.
By: edhensley on December 30, 2014
at 2:02 am
You neglected to mention revelation as one of the reasons people believe in God.
By: Robert Cox on December 30, 2014
at 3:17 pm
Why are you insisting that I should accept the revelations god gave to Mohammad and Joseph Smith? Why would the creator of the universe give a revelation to only a few people and then expect all others to believe their word? Why not just give the same revelation to every person in the world?
By: edhensley on December 31, 2014
at 2:33 pm
I have no expectation of acceptance. I personally do not believe Joseph Smith or Muhammad received a revelation that was ‘Godly’, and I will assume you considered that possibility.
How many people truly seek God, and not their own desires?
By: Robert Cox on January 1, 2015
at 12:06 am
I believe that Saul of Tarsus and Moses received the same type of revelation as Muhammad, Joseph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, Jim Jones, David Koresh, Billy Graham, Jimmy Swaggart, etc. All were seeking there own desires and not any desires revealed to them from god. If god wants all of humanity to receive knowledge about him, she could reveal it to all of humanity clearly and completely instead of giving little nuggets of truth to only a select few and expecting all the world to obey the edicts of those select few.
By: edhensley on January 1, 2015
at 2:18 pm
What you have read from each of these individuals you mentioned left you with the same impression?
Not everyone deserves the same recognition and respect.
By: Robert Cox on January 1, 2015
at 3:04 pm
All of the individuals claim to have revelations from god in one form or another. Their claims are not supported by evidence.
By: edhensley on January 1, 2015
at 3:15 pm
Agreed, none of the claims mentioned are supported by empirical evidence.
By: Robert Cox on January 1, 2015
at 3:19 pm
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at 1:51 am
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at 2:21 am
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By: Christmas Quotes Bible - VideoClip4U on January 6, 2015
at 8:15 am
Hi Ed Hensley.
It seems as if you are really trying to find G-D. Keep looking and you will find Him. We will keep you in our prayers. The earth and the universe are enough to let you know there is something more.
In our Messiah Yeshua
By: Wayne on January 13, 2015
at 1:41 pm
Amen
By: Robert Cox on January 14, 2015
at 11:00 am
It’s a real shame that your lack of understanding is so great… There is so much in the bible that is symbolic and Not literal. As in the fir tree. God refers to himself as a great fir tree. So there for the fir tree is a symbol of The Lord. So having a tree in ones home on the 25th day of December (Jesus’s conception) to represent The Father is perfectly ok. Just remember it is not to be worshipped as that would be an abomination…. Think about and read a little further ; ) May God Bless and give You Understanding…..
By: Robert on October 17, 2015
at 12:48 pm
You understand so little about the bible or Christianity. Jesus was not conceived or born on December 25. This was the date of the celebration of the birth of Sol Invictus (the invincible Sun) long before the Roman Catholic Church converted it Christmas.
By: edhensley on October 18, 2015
at 11:57 pm
And that matters why? The Eastern Orthodox Church uses a different calendar, and celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January, does that mean they worship a different Jesus?
By: Robert Cox on November 8, 2015
at 1:11 am
Matthew 15:9
By: Michael on November 8, 2015
at 1:04 pm
You stated without any qualifications that Jesus was conceived on Dec 25th [“the 25th day of December (Jesus’s conception)”]. I was merely replying to your statement. It is well known that at the time of the formation of the Roman Empire Church that Natalis Invicti (the rebirth of the winter sun) was celebrated on December 25. This is recorded, for example, the Calendar of Philocalus of 354 has Dec 25 listed as the day of Natalis Invictis. There are those who try to argue that Christmas is not related to this coincidence, but I think this is more than coincidence. When I was a Christian, I did not believe that Jesus was necessarily born on Dec 25 and it did not really matter. It was a day to celebrate his birth and give presents. As an atheist who lived in Germany 7 years and witnessed a variety of customs from northern Europe, I celebrate Dec 25 in a secular way, still giving presents to my loved one. I kept the merry and dumped the myth.
By: edhensley on November 8, 2015
at 1:19 pm
I believe you have me mixed up with another poster. Many cultures celebrated on the Solstices and equinoxes.
You are absolutely correct, many of our holidays, traditions, originally were pagan, such as the rabbit and egg representing fertility.
Would you happen to be culturally religious, or a cultural Christian?
By: Robert Cox on November 8, 2015
at 2:08 pm
I am not a cultural Christian. I am a former Christian who is now an atheist and humanist.
By: edhensley on December 5, 2015
at 10:06 pm
Ok, thanks for the reply, ED. It seems this tread picks up this time of the year. Have a beautiful 2015, and many years to follow!
By: Robert Cox on December 6, 2015
at 4:24 am
Amen my Friend. Well said…
By: Robert on October 21, 2015
at 9:41 pm
Need to study the Holy Bible (as myself!!!) carefully… As a baptized Orthodox Christian we Honor GOD ABOVE ALL and nothing other!!! All the Icons/pictures has a relating Biblical Story, people who can’t read/deaf or understand a language which is foreign to theirs is artistically put in an art form and can be verbly/visually explained… Image of GOD as well of the Commandments explained in the Old Testament. As a child I never seen the Christmas Tree as and Idol!!!/Or been taught as such… I enjoy a present with/without a tree… (Western teaching). When we celebrate The Birth of Jesus Christ it just as such… Very few homes furnishings is with just with what’s nessary, I recall a couple which to me I thought look bare, now I look back and see where there heart was at… I once heard “don’t let material things anchor you down or be so attached you can’t let it go… I know a guy his Dad called his Son “Boxcar”nice man, he couldn’t see being attached to stuff, great heart and well educated… Yes I have my issues!!! Tv, computer, cell phone, vehicle, store sales on man instated holidays etc… I struggle with doing right, a lot of wrong I do!!! I had a Priest suggest to a group of us, “We must be reborn everyday”!!! Glory to GOD in all things!!!
By: Pat Kvasnikoff Jr. on December 3, 2015
at 6:43 pm
Stay true in and to the Word(words to the editor;) and Be Blessed in the name of Yashua!!! If you are standing upright the “anti-spirit” comes from all different angles, correct? Lover of truth to the end of the race!!! I keep the orginal sabbath and am anti christmas because it is a total satanic inversion of what Christ did for us…..Keep going sister!!!!
By: Michael Toone on December 7, 2015
at 4:15 pm
” Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for Love has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Love is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to Love and he who does not observe the day, to Love he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to Love, for he gives Love thanks; and he who does not eat, to Love he does not eat, and gives Love thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to Love; and if we die, we die to Love. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Love’s. For to this end Love died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Love. For it is written:
“As I live, says Love,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to Love.”
So then each of us shall give account of himself to Love. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
The Law of Love
I know and am convinced by Love that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Love died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of Love is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Spirit of Love. For he who serves Love in these things is acceptable to Love and approved by men.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of Love for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before Love. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; forwhatever is not from faith is sin.”
Romans 14 ELT
By: Even on December 14, 2015
at 8:29 pm
Your long post has nothing to do with Christmas trees. I will let it through this time, but please refer to my ABOUT section for guidelines for this blog. Keep your comments no longer than a few paragraphs and keep them relevant to the topic of the original post.
By: edhensley on December 14, 2015
at 9:19 pm
I think you let one of your own non-Christmas tree posts slip through when saying the bible is just a bronze age myth..Please forgive others who may do so…I mentioned trees 🙂
By: Elizabeth Boille on December 5, 2016
at 4:06 am
SANTA CLAUS = SATAN LUCAS, LUCAS is one nickname for Lucifer [look it up]. St Nick is an alternative for Old Nick = The Devil, look that up too.
This is a lying and deceitful article, St. Nicholaus is just a tricky cover for the more pagan and satanic Norse origins of SANTA. Dale, the poster is onto some thing. Please read his post.
The Bible forbid the celebration of Christmas and Christmas trees.
Jeremiah 10:2-5.
10:2 Thus says 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.
10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
10:5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
By: dawidlewi on December 25, 2015
at 8:09 pm
God doesn’t ask us to celebrate his birthday so why do Christians do it. Actually, wasn’t Christmas a pagan tradition to begin with?
He doesn’t ask us to celebrate his birthday, but does ask us to celebrate his resurrection.
By: Matt on December 30, 2015
at 5:00 am
Yep, but people don’t want to acknowledge this because it’s not easy to be different!
By: Ronda on March 22, 2016
at 4:03 am
I agree!!
By: Ronda on March 22, 2016
at 4:04 am
You’re not talking about Christmas trees they’re talking about taking the tree down in crafting an image to worship out of it because Christmas trees didn’t even come into existence until where are after Jesus Christ died and they came into existence because of Saint Nicholas who used to make wooden toys for the unfortunate children and his village since the wisemen brought gifts to Jesus when he was born Saint Nicholas thought it would be a nice thing To give toys to the children who don’t or cannot afford to have toys on Christmas and that is how Santa Claus came to be so Jeremiah could not have possibly been talking about a Christmas tree they’re talking about carving wouldn’t images to worship
By: deborah on June 23, 2016
at 5:47 pm
Yet several Christian churches forbid Christmas trees based upon these verses.
By: edhensley on June 23, 2016
at 5:51 pm
I don’t see how Christmas honors god in anyway. The thing i don’t like about it is that you have to lie to your children about Santa the bible says we are not to lie proverbs 12:22. And the gift giving is horrible! most people have to spend money that they don’t really have. And a lot of people get depressed @ this time of year.And not to mention the bible say nothing about celebrating Jesus birthday. scholars cant even be sure when Jesus was born! I never seen a bible scripture in the new testament where the apostle told the people to cut down a tree and put gifts under it! What good is Christmas yeah people get generous only on December 25th but not any other day. In my opinion cutting down a tree or carving into A idol is not the point. How does god get the glory out of it ? The tree get the glory not god!
By: Dorothee on July 22, 2016
at 2:04 am
@MP, God never sent the astrologers to his sons, but the devil actually influenced them to go after Gods son and kill him.
For questions to your answers, y’all should kindly visit http://www.jw.org by using the search button
By: Janai Obot on August 18, 2016
at 11:07 am
I have tried to locate the scripture.. Only a fool would decorate a tree.. I believe it was in Proverbs.. Many Christians will argue the point.. but I stopped decorating trees 🙂
By: Mary Ann on December 6, 2016
at 9:50 pm
To Brian Byley: I am a new Christian, having been born again and baptized in June 2015. I had researched a lot of information on the internet and was also reading various books and the Bible which I was trying to interpret on my own. I was mistakenly following the Old Testament Law observing Saturday as the Sabbath and eating only “clean” meats, etc. I was so lost and trying to discover the truth because I want to follow God and the truth. After much praying and going to several “apostate” churches, God finally led me to the most wonderful church and pastor here in Phoenix, AZ: Jesus is Lord Outreach Center. The Pastor is David Middleton. He is the most faithful man of God and truly anointed. He corrected me on following the Sabbath (Old Testament ways) and answered all my questions. He explained that the Old Testament ways were put away and replaced by the New Testament after Jesus went to the cross. He explains all of that and is a wonderful source for THE TRUTH. He has numerous videos on YouTube and all sorts of books and CD’s you can get on any subject. Church services are Sunday at 10AM and 6:30PM and Wednesday at 7PM. He live streams so you can watch the services live as he is teaching the Word.
Christians need the truth. We need our spiritual food which is the Word of God. There is so much deception and disinformation out there in the world and on the internet. Satan has done a great job of corrupting the Church in order to create confusion, dissension and strife amongst all of us brethren. Instead of tearing each other down with hurtful, negative comments (which are worldly and of Satan), we need to be building each other up and supporting one another. Jesus said the second most important commandment is “Love each other as I have loved you.” Do not follow man’s way or his beliefs by following the man-made denominational churches. The only church is the one that Jesus started with Peter his disciple/apostle: the church of the firstborn from the dead. All other churches and denominations came from man and were influenced by Satan himself to deceive and keep us from the truth. Follow your heart. Follow the truth. Follow Jesus! “and Jesus saith unto him I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Jesus is THE ONLY WAY. His Church is the only church. That is us, his believers…we are His church. And his Word is our life.
Christians must also realize that God’s word is NOT just about salvation. There are things that we MUST do in our lifetime to serve God in order to bring out His Kingdom on earth. We must get delivered from all demons so we can be healed from our sickness and disease. Yes, every one of us in the world has sinned and we have demons in us. Demons enter people through sin. There are 3 ways in which we can get demons. Demons come in through sin. 1) through inherited generational curses going back 3 and 4 generations; 2) through our own sin; and 3) through victimization. These evil spirits must be cast out of you in order to receive God’s deliverance and healing power.
Also, we must engage in the battle of spiritual warfare. We must know how to pray accurately and effectively to tear down the strongholds of the enemy and the Dark Kingdom. It says in the Bible that Satan is the ruler of this world and that his Kingdom is very organized and powerful. Not as powerful as God, obviously, but if we are not born again or walking right with God, then we will be powerless against the evil forces that want to destroy us and our lives. Pray with all your heart and ask God to lead you to the truth. That is what I did for months and he finally led me to this Church. God is so gracious and He will help you if you seek Him with all your heart. God bless each and every one of you. And I pray for those who are not born again, those who are involved in denominational churches, or those who are following evil to please repent (turn from your wicked ways) and seek God with all of your heart. Seek the truth! Just call upon Jesus’ name. He will hear you and help you find your way. I cannot tell you how many amazing supernatural things I have seen and what God has done in my life since coming to Him 1.5 years ago. I would never go back to my old, miserable life, never. He is LOVE, He is TRUTH, He is LIGHT, He is FAITHFUL, He is MERCIFUL, He is FORGIVING, He is my ALL IN ALL, my EVERYTHING. We can’t get through this life without Him. All glory to God in the highest!!! Praise the Lord, our High King our High Priest, our Savior. Amen.
Lisa
By: Lisa on December 9, 2016
at 1:59 pm
Please shorten your replies and address only the verses of topic in your next post. However, I want to ask you about this statement:
Do you have any evidence that demons are inherited for 3 to 4 generations through? How do you detect demons at all? Are demons passed from one generation to the next the demon genes in the DNA? What mechanisms block demon DNA (or whatever) from being detected or transmitted to the 5th generation?
By: edhensley on December 9, 2016
at 6:55 pm
Hi Ed, sorry I got off topic about the Christmas tree. I get excited to talk about God and what He has done in my life. After being lost my whole life and in bondage, I finally have purpose and wanted to share my experiences and things I have learned from the Word and my church about following Old Testament Law and also let Brian know about deliverance since it sounded like he might be a little lost on what to believe just like I was. I do not have hard evidence that demons are inherited back to the 3rd and 4th generations but it says so in various places in the Bible (Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 5:9, Daniel 9:16). I believe God’s Word wholeheartedly and there is a lot of archaeological evidence that backs up the history as it is presented in the Bible. No matter how hard Satan tries, he cannot hide the truth forever. His time is running out. I also have personally experienced some very strange and amazing supernatural occurrences which further solidify my belief in God. It says in John 20:29: “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” The LORD’s word is good enough for me, I believe not having seen because I do not for one second believe that we evolved from sludge as Satan and the evolutionists would like for us to believe. All you have to do is look around at all the wonderful things in this world and beyond to see that there is a creator of this amazing universe and everything in it. Back to curses…Illegitimate children and those who have children through incest are cursed to 10 generations (Deuteronomy 23:2 and 23:3). I can tell you that I personally have never worshipped the peace pipe, animal spirits or anything else as my Indian ancestors did; however, when I have gone through deliverance, I have cast out numerous evil spirits from my Indian inheritance line. Things I have never even heard of! Evil spirits inhabit the body and soul. They can come and go at will but prefer to stay and do anything they can to steal, kill and destroy our lives (unless you cast them out and stay free of sin). They are not in the genes. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When we sin, Satan goes before the Father as our accuser and presents his case against us. Once he proves that we have sinned, we have given place to the devil. God then allows evil spirits to come into us to enforce the curse he is allowing Satan to put on us because of our disobedience to His Word. Since we have ALL sinned in our lives, we ALL have demons in us. Yes, Christians have many demons in them that need to be cast out. I have been getting delivered the past 7 months and my life has completely turned around. I feel so much better. I haven’t felt this good since I was a child. Even so, I still have a long way to go in order to be set free because I’m sure I have legions of demons in me based on a lifetime of sinning (seeing as I’m 48 years old). You can tell if you have demons based on the kind of fruit you are producing in your life. A good tree bears good fruit and, likewise, an evil tree bears evil fruit.
I was reading in one of your posts that you were a Christian but are now an atheist. That breaks my heart when someone has turned away from God. I wonder what happened in a person’s life that would cause someone to become so bitter and angry that they would turn against the one and only person who truly loves them. I prayed for you tonight in hopes that God will work in your heart and call you back to Him. And just like the Prodigal son, He will welcome you back with open arms and give you love abounding. You know, the more you draw nigh to Him the more He will draw nigh to you. I believe that because I have the most amazing close relationship with Him that I have never known before. When the entire world has beat me up and rejected me (even my own family and so-called friends) He has never forsaken me. He has always been with me, waiting for me to come out of the darkness. I pray with all my heart that you come back to God so he can heal your heart and fill you with love. The perfect love conquers evil! It conquers everything. God is perfect love! If you are ever in Arizona, I invite you to stop into our Church. It is called Jesus is Lord Outreach Center. It is a small church where we actually sing hymns (not play worldly Christian rock music). God bless you. I will be praying for your heart to be turned back to God. God bless you.
Lisa
By: Lisa on December 10, 2016
at 6:32 am
I am sorry that you feel that your Indian heritage put demons in you. I am also sorry that you feel all people, including Christians, are possessed by demons. Your story is a great example of why I think any belief in the bible is bad. One person might read the bible and believe in being nice to others. Another person might read the bible and believe it is fine to enslave other human beings. And in your case, you are now belittling your heritage because of the bible. I do not believe things based on the authority of one book. I believe things based upon evidence. I think our views on how we should acquire knowledge are too different to have any more meaningful conversations. I could show you thousands of ways in which the bible contradicts itself and how the bible is contradicted by science, history and archaeology, but I believe you would not accept any of that evidence. I am a realist (knowledge comes from evidence) and you are a Thomist (knowledge comes through divine revelation). I have nothing else to say except enjoy this life.
By: edhensley on December 10, 2016
at 2:06 pm
I understand you have your own opinion; but I can see that you are vexed with demons and misguided so I would like to pray for you: “Father in heaven, I pray for Ed Hensley in the mighty name of Jesus. I bind every evil spirit that is operating in him and through him in the name of Jesus. I bind the spirits of deception and false doctrines that are controlling his mind and blinding him from receiving the truth. I cast them out, cast them down, root them out, throw them down and fall upon them to their destruction in the name of Jesus. I confuse their ranks, I destroy their assignments and their works in the mighty name of Jesus. I tear down their strongholds and break their bands on his mind. I loose and untie their hold on him and take the blinders off his eyes so that your light and the truth of your word will shine on him. I ask that you open his spiritual eyes Father. I thank you Father for sending forth your mighty angels to war in the heavenlies against the enemy on his behalf, in the name of Jesus. I bless you and praise you Father. Thank you for setting Ed free, in Jesus’ holy name.”
ANYTHING contrary to the Word of God is false and if you continue to follow the crowd (the worldly doctrines), you will perish. It says in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.” I have learned in this spiritual battle that we (Christians) have to separate the demons from the people and help others come out of bondage which is of the devil. It says in Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places.” What this means is we do not fight against people, we fight against the evil spirits that are affecting the people (inside the people as in possessed or vexed). People are good because God made everything that is Good. It is the evil spirits operating within the people that make them nasty and evil. Once you realize this truth, then you can help others come to the light (truth) and help them come out of bondage. That is one of the main reasons that God came to this earth was to defeat the devil and break the power of bondage that the devil had over them.
The devil has you blinded, my friend. I have the love of Christ in me so your comments do not make me angry. They make me that much more determined to try to reach you. The truth will all be revealed soon. God is waiting for you to accept Him, He loves you so much; I just hope it’s not too late by the time you finally come to the knowledge of the truth. Jesus is coming very soon for His Church (2030) and you will either be part of the Church or you will be cast into the lake of fire. There are no second chances for salvation so we have to get it right on the first try and walk in His ways according to the Word and prepare for his coming NOW. The time for salvation is NOW. The Word is our guide to life. Remember that God is giving you a choice right now while you are on this earth. Because when He comes in the clouds in all His Power and Glory with His Holy Angels to collect His Church it will be too late at that point to make your choice. Also, you never know when you will take your last breath, your soul could be taken tonight. If you don’t repent, ask for forgiveness in your heart and accept Jesus and the truth NOW, TODAY, then you have chosen Satan and your fate will have already been sealed. Read about the “Close of Probation.” Choose blessings and life (Jesus) or choose curses and death (Satan). That is the bottom line. I love you and I will keep praying that God calls to your heart and turns you back to Him. Also, read about the Prophetess Mary K Baxter and her accounts of hell. If that doesn’t scare you and cause you to seek the Lord then nothing will and you will be lost forever. The only sin that is keeping you from the Kingdom of God is not believing in Christ. Remember, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the father but by Him. He is the way, the only way to salvation…to the Father…to eternal life. Choose life, Ed. May God bless you and deliver you from your bondage! Love conquers all. 🙂
By: Lisa on December 10, 2016
at 11:32 pm
I am still an atheist, so your prayer has failed. Your comments are too long and violate my request for short comments in the About section.
By: edhensley on December 11, 2016
at 3:42 pm
I have previously said that we will not change each others’ minds due to our differences in how we believe knowledge should be acquired. However, I want to know on what basis you made the following statement, particularly about the year 2030.
How did you obtain certainty of the year of the return of Jesus? Hundreds have predicted his return, and all have failed. Is your claim contradictory to these verses?
Matt 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matt 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Mark 13:32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
By: edhensley on December 17, 2016
at 1:54 am
Christmas trees are pagan and older than Jesus . Christmas trees are european pagan tradition where they celebrated the start of longer daylights and it is not Christian or religious in that matter . When christianity reached rome , they accepted it as a fashion since a pagan cannot be spiritual . They called themselves christians but kept their pagan traditions , that is how christmas trees are associated with christianity
By: Oscar on December 22, 2016
at 4:45 pm
Language develops in different ways but just because a word has a root in something different that doesn’t mean we mean to say that root word when we say the modern word. For example, Thais call Jesus “Yesu” while Hebrew calls him Yeshua, but does that mean any of us are addressing a different person? Roman Catholics have many statues but that does not mean they are worshipped any more than a Christmas tree. We should be giving gifts every day of the year, but as the wise men gave gifts after Christ’s birth so we remember to honour Christ in giving gifts. There are 25,000 original copies of the gospel in existance today and were written closer to the time of their subject than any other ancient writing was written to theirs. Christmas is a great testimony to God’s gift to man and we do well to celebrate Christ instead of the pagan sun god.
By: Eddy Case on January 3, 2017
at 3:57 am
This is absolutely wrong. There are NO original documents. What do you mean, original copies? Copies are not original. Your statement starts with an oxymoron.
Christians like to compare the New Testament with books like The Iliad, which was written in the 8th Century BCE. So they start by comparing there book with one 800 YEARS OLDER. Why not compare the New Testament to the Koran, which was written about 600 years later, or with the Origin of Species, written about 1800 years later? The reason they do not is that their arguments for superiority crumble as they realize that “number of original documents” and “number of early copies” are dependent on age, not any particular religious belief.
Of the 25,000 New Testament manuscripts, 75% are translations of earlier Greek manuscripts into other languages, leaving only about 5800 Greek manuscripts. Of these, there are 0 manuscripts from the first century and only a few from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. See the charts at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_manuscript#New_Testament_manuscripts and reference the footnotes for the original sources of the Wikipedia data. Also read http://www.patheos.com/blogs/crossexamined/2013/11/25000-new-testament-manuscripts-big-deal/.
Of these manuscripts, there are hundreds of thousands of contradictions. You should first be aware of John Mill and Mill’s Aparatus. From wikipedia, “Mill’s work noted over 30,000 discrepancies between some 100 extant New Testament manuscripts. His work was attacked by Daniel Whitby and Anthony Collins. Whitby’s Examination claimed that Mill had destroyed the validity of the text; Collins received a reply from Bentley (Phileleutherus lipsiensis). Bentley defended Mill noting essentially that Mill was not responsible for the differences between the various Manuscripts, he only pointed them out. ”
Bart Ehrman notes that there are hundreds of thousand of discrepancies, and that there are more discrepancies among these manuscripts than there are words in the New Testament. Please read Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman.
By: edhensley on January 3, 2017
at 1:56 pm
Leviticus 23:40 says that the people should take leafy branches from trees and rejoice with them before the Lord. 1st Kings 7:29 says there were crafted animals in the temple courtyard and indeed the ark of the covenant was crafted from wood and covered with gold, but none of these were to be worshipped as idols.
The Dead Sea Scrolls proved that there was no error in the copying of Isaiah throughout the thousands of years during which they were hidden. The rest of the Bible would have been treated with such meticulousness in copying too. The book of Acts does not record Paul’s death in AD 69 so it would have been written before then, and the Gospel of Luke as a prequel would have been written even before that. Dr. Luke says in his introduction that he gathered the content materials from other sources even before that who would have been eyewitnesses of Jesus. The gospels fulfilled prophecies from throughout the OT, such as the virgin birth.
By: Eddy Case on January 6, 2017
at 12:47 am
You are a victim of propaganda.
First of all, there were no New Testament books in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and there were many books not in the Old or New Testament. Apologists take one book that matches pretty well with the modern version and then WRONGLY claim that ALL books must have been done that way. The Dead Sea Scrolls became a battle of Protestants versus Catholics. For centuries Protestants supported the Masoretic Texts (created by Masoretes between 7th and 10th century CE, do not include books like Maccabees, etc), while Catholics supported the Septuagint (Greek, used by authors of New Testament, includes Maccabees and others). The issue of Septuagint (LXX) versus Masoretic (MT) was not decided, as the Dead Sea Scrolls contained both Masoretic-like and Hebrew Septuagint-like texts, and other types of texts unlike LXX or MT.
Let’s take a look at Deuteronomy 32:8-9 comparing MT, LXX, and Dead Sea Scrolls. From biblegateway.com, NIV, but notice the footnotes.
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,
when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples
according to the number of the sons of Israel.[b]
9
For the Lord’s portion is his people,
Jacob his allotted inheritance.
[b]Deuteronomy 32:8 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint) sons of God
The authors of the NIV used the MT, even though it disagrees with BOTH the LXX and Dead Sea Scrolls. Why did they do this? Because the oldest version of this verse points to Polytheism. “Most High” is actually “Elyon”, which is the name of the head of the Canaanite Pantheon set of gods. Dividing all mankind to the various “Sons of god” is exactly the idea behind the early Canaanite religions. Each nation had a different god. In verse 9, the nation of Jacob was given to the god Yahweh by the highest god Elyon. Here is the transliterated Hebrew:
Behanchel Elyon goyim behafrido beney adam yatsev gvulot amim lemispar beney Yisra’el.
Ki chelek Yahweh amo Ya’akov chevel nachalato.
the Most High = Elyon
LORD’S = Yahweh
To many scholars, Elyon and Yahweh are names of separate beings. To many people, this is one of many pieces of evidence that shows Israel was polytheistic early on. This blog describes Deaut 32:8-9 concisely, but I must admit I have read little from this blogger. https://triangulations.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/deuteronomy-328-9/.
I would like to add a published article from the biblical literalist Dallas Theological Seminary. http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/otesources/05-deuteronomy/text/articles/heiser-deut32-bs.htm
The author claims that most modern translations of Deut 32:8-9 are wrong and that Sons Of God should be used, not Sons of Israel. He says this is OK and does not promote polytheism but rather supports the ancient idea of a “divine council” in that Middle East. I will end with some quotes, but just wanted to show you the people from multiple perspectives, including a biblical fundamentalist protestant, believe that most modern translations are in error on these verses. There are many more verses like this, but space does not permit discussing them all.
By: edhensley on January 6, 2017
at 4:36 pm
You have got this incorrect. Read ALL of the verses. This was the pagan ritual of cutting trees down and carpenter’s carving idol images and decorating the stump with silver and gold. Christmas trees came Was way after Christ’s death. Not the same thing. Sorry…
By: Michelle on September 11, 2017
at 9:31 pm
You have got this incorrect. Adorning trees came way before Christ. There are numerous Christian sects who condemn Christmas trees.
By: edhensley on October 12, 2017
at 11:34 am
.
You have to ask yourself the most important question. Are you worshipping a dumb Idol? If the answer is no, then it cannot do you any harm and therefore does not apply. This lesson is also reiterated by Paul.
A chapter is not meant to be subdivided into its constituent versus to then be taken out of context and twisted to mean anything. Even a layman knows that a chapter contains a subject and an object much like in English, the importance of which is obvious.
…
By: R on November 29, 2017
at 3:35 am
Most Christians, however, continue to ignore this passage and any other passage in the bible that contradicts their opinions.
Amen. That’s defintely the truth.
By: Kira Bernsten on November 30, 2017
at 7:00 am
I truly believe that all PEGAN holidays are not good, and are against GOD’S Words that he spoke in the bible. HONOR GOD and all he has sacrificed for us. By giving his blood for our Sins.
By: Gloria Ortiz on December 9, 2017
at 9:06 pm
Thought Christmas is all about Christ Birthday, nothing to do with the tree. If you want to put them together , the only reason is Jesus born as our saviour and redeemer, He died to save us from all sins on a tree.
By: Eva Chiu on December 11, 2017
at 3:19 am
Well I believe this is confirmation I was given a study with a pastor about the tree being a pagan I am so glad that you give the reason where this for people do not understand why I don’t have a tree they mocked me and call me Scrooge but thank you Lord that you show me the way Lord that I do not worship other Idols for you are the only God as a first commandment says Thou shalt not have any other gods before me and now shall not make themselves and Idol thank you for your confirmation
By: Linda Perez on December 23, 2017
at 4:07 pm
You can’t tell some Christians about Christmas trees they don’t believe that Jesus doesn’t like it.Why would Jesus want us to celebrate a holiday that he didn’t give us.Its awful that we picked any date threw Santa in it then Jesus it’s a disgrace.Thats how we celebrate his birth his how shameful
By: Elizabeth Bertrand on February 14, 2018
at 4:02 am
[…] me there is hope in this land which has been called the graveyard of the churches. For while some decry the pagan origin of these conifers, I conclude that they remain a perennially Christian symbol of life everlasting and darkness turned […]
By: In Defense of Christmas Trees | Like Mendicant Monks… on December 17, 2018
at 6:11 am
… Good grief Ed LOL
Also, from another comment yoy made; we think of The Father as male because He said, “let us make man in our image.” Their image as one, is Spirit Soul and Body. That body was presented as male. This whole “sacred Feminine” movement going on in 2021 is not a good thing.
By: BrensCottage on July 24, 2021
at 3:20 pm
The men who wrote the bible and invented god think of him as male.
By: edhensley on September 7, 2021
at 9:34 pm
Furthermore, God states clearly that he does not like the customs of other people (non Jews). There are multiple non-Jewish origins of decorating trees that pre-date the Christmas tree.
The phrase above: …other people does not mean “non jews” but rather pagan ie man’s traditions. Not every non jew erects a tree in their home at Christmas or other practices.
By: Edna Purcell-Diaz on December 1, 2022
at 9:38 pm
I am in total agreement, l think it grieves the Holy Spirit very much. The celebration of the Birth of Jesus has nothing to do with pagan worship.
I am not a Jehova witness. When l was a teenager, , l brought in a very small cedar tree and decorated it in my bedroom
My Mom took it out.. we were Christians
Why should we take something into our house that came from pagan worship and try to make it a Christian practice. I think it is an abomination to our Heavenly Father. Christians wake up.
Give God the glory due to His name.
Would you like a pagan practise to be brought into your home on your birthday celebration.
I do.not think so.
The believers were told to tare down the altars of paga gods.
We are to do the same.
How can we glorify a practice from pagan gods and attach Jesus Birthday to it.
May God have mercy on us!
By: Anna Mae Detwiler on December 3, 2022
at 3:05 pm
A craftsman is someone trained and skilled in wood cutting and carving, this was not tinsel and garland adorned a tree, this was a pagan deity carved out, overlayed with actual GOLD & SILVER, and worshiped. Not a man who cuts a tree and decorates it.
By: Thomas Schaffnit on December 4, 2022
at 6:11 pm
I wrote this post in 2010. It is fun to see 12 years later that Christians are still arguing among themselves about what these verses mean and what is permitted by their god.
By: edhensley on December 4, 2022
at 11:23 pm
I consider adults commenting more of an adult conversation, rather than an argument. To each their own.
By: Thomas Schaffnit on December 5, 2022
at 3:13 am
Children often have imaginary friends. They no longer believe in those imaginary friends when they reach adulthood.
By: edhensley on December 5, 2022
at 9:40 pm
May the Lord bless you.
By: Thomas Schaffnit on December 5, 2022
at 9:42 pm
Any who deliberately disobey God’s commandments to shun pagan beliefs and practices are simply disbelievers and by disobeying God’s commandments they encourage others to also break God’s commandments and defy His Laws and that is what wickedness is to do such things despite being commanded by God to not do certain things.
By: Willie D. on December 25, 2022
at 2:35 pm
Keep the superstitious belief Christmas for what reason? Christmas isn’t mentioned in the Bible at all. You’re simply one of many who desire to do as pagans do apparently because you yourself have adopted pagan beliefs and practices into your life thereby making you not a true believer but rather making you a true disbeliever.
By: Willie D. on December 25, 2022
at 2:41 pm