In John 10:22, Jesus Christ is at the Temple probably December 25 for the Feast of Dedication (which has been paganized into Christmas). That date would be the first Day of an eight day Feast celebration.
The Maccabees decided to re-Dedicate The Temple on the 25th of Kislev (2 Maccabees 10:5) which is December 25. In the Bible it does not state that that date is the birth of Jesus Christ. Further, this Feast celebration of this date does not involve a decorated tree. (2 Maccabees 10:1-9)
I think that the verse in Jeremiah is referring to an Asherah pole or tree, which was usually carved in the image of the goddess Asherah, also known as Asteroth, Ishtar, Isis, etc. These poles/trees were stood up next to the altars of Baal, also known as Marduk, Molech, etc. (the Moon god). These idols were used in worship. They were most often placed on "high place" (hills, mounds) and often among a grove of trees (sometimes trees they planted specifically for worship purposes).
Dear Amarin, An Asherah Pole is an Asherah Pole, a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree. If one worships before a Christmas tree, it is idolatrous, but not necessarily an Asherah Pole.
Hi Levi Green Except for acknowledging that The son of God was born although it wasn't dec.25th[ Look up Sept 11th 3bc.] most of HoHo is wrapped up in pagan tradition including the tree, Look at Jeremiah 10:1-5 interesting isn't it. If an individual can give and celebrate and not get so to speak caught up in it do what you please, its your walk with God and I'm not your judge, everything in balance. I'm thankful that for a short period of time people are thinking about the word.
Hi Levi The answer isn't complicated if a decorated tree blesses you because you like it that's one thing, if you believe it makes you closer to God that's an entirely different situation. One of these is taste and decorative the other is idolatry this is covered in Romans 14. If you like it fine, if you worship it? It's that simple.
Levi, it think it is up to the individual to decide on this. The "tree of life", either drawn as art or as an object carved, erected a decorated, or a real tree kept in ground or cut and decorated have been part of pagan religions throughout time. It is often associated with occultic and magick practices such as in Kabbalah.
It really is up to each person to decide about whether to use it or not at Christmas time. The first extensive use of the lighted and decorated tree at Christmas in the church began with Martin Luther. I am sure it was already a custom in Germany, which had its roots in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice (Saturnalia), but Luther assigned better symbolic meaning to the tree. I am sure that in the dark of winter before electricity, the lighted tree was cheerful.
We know that Jesus was not born on December 25th. This was the day many pagan religions used as the birth or death day of their god (usually associated with the planet Saturn). In the 3rd century A.D. the church began to adopt and adapt the pagan traditions of the people in the Roman world and weave them into Christian festivals so that the pagans would be more likely to follow Christ without having to give up the traditions/celebrations they were accustomed to, but these traditions were "christianized", given Christian meanings and flavor.
I think we would be surprised to discover how much of the way we celebrate any tradition or holiday can be traced back to pagan practices. That does not necessarily mean we are participating in a pagan practice or ritual if we do not believe it to be as we celebrate. For me, having a tree is a family tradition at Christmas that I have enjoyed because it is beautiful and cheerful at a dreary time of year; because we have made many family memories decorating the tree and singing or playing carols as we gather; and because the decorations and the tree can be used to explain or symbolize so many aspects of Christ and his work of salvation for us
The Maccabees decided to re-Dedicate The Temple on the 25th of Kislev (2 Maccabees 10:5) which is December 25. In the Bible it does not state that that date is the birth of Jesus Christ. Further, this Feast celebration of this date does not involve a decorated tree. (2 Maccabees 10:1-9)
I think that the verse in Jeremiah is referring to an Asherah pole or tree, which was usually carved in the image of the goddess Asherah, also known as Asteroth, Ishtar, Isis, etc. These poles/trees were stood up next to the altars of Baal, also known as Marduk, Molech, etc. (the Moon god). These idols were used in worship. They were most often placed on "high place" (hills, mounds) and often among a grove of trees (sometimes trees they planted specifically for worship purposes).
It really is up to each person to decide about whether to use it or not at Christmas time. The first extensive use of the lighted and decorated tree at Christmas in the church began with Martin Luther. I am sure it was already a custom in Germany, which had its roots in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice (Saturnalia), but Luther assigned better symbolic meaning to the tree. I am sure that in the dark of winter before electricity, the lighted tree was cheerful.
We know that Jesus was not born on December 25th. This was the day many pagan religions used as the birth or death day of their god (usually associated with the planet Saturn). In the 3rd century A.D. the church began to adopt and adapt the pagan traditions of the people in the Roman world and weave them into Christian festivals so that the pagans would be more likely to follow Christ without having to give up the traditions/celebrations they were accustomed to, but these traditions were "christianized", given Christian meanings and flavor.
I think we would be surprised to discover how much of the way we celebrate any tradition or holiday can be traced back to pagan practices. That does not necessarily mean we are participating in a pagan practice or ritual if we do not believe it to be as we celebrate. For me, having a tree is a family tradition at Christmas that I have enjoyed because it is beautiful and cheerful at a dreary time of year; because we have made many family memories decorating the tree and singing or playing carols as we gather; and because the decorations and the tree can be used to explain or symbolize so many aspects of Christ and his work of salvation for us
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