It's usually non-Christians that attack Christmas but some in the Faith do their part to muddy the waters of what Christmas is and what was co-opted from pagan beliefs.
We know Christmas did incorporate some pagan ideals by Roman Emperor Constantine as a political move to appease the Christians and non-Christians.
As Christmas evolved to take on different traditions from different cultures, Christians became more and more troubled by what to allow in their celebrations.
What we must first accept - no matter what the anti-Christian faction would have you believe - is Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. True, we get the birthday wrong but it is supposed to be a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Commercialism and warm, fuzzy feelings of "holiday spirit" have nudged past the true meaning, but Christmas is first and foremost about JESUS!!!
As a Christian, sometimes I wonder if there is a line I shouldn't cross when it comes to pagan traditions and Christmas, but I figure if I keep my motives pure and my heart in the right place, I'll be okay.
I stumbled upon this article by John MacArthur about Christmas Trees I found very interesting and explains how Christmas trees are not a form of pagan worship.
First, some object on the basis that Christmas trees have pagan origins. It is believed that Boniface, English missionary to Germany in the eighth century, instituted the first Christmas tree. He supposedly replaced sacrifices to the god Odin's sacred oak with a fir tree adorned in tribute to Christ. But certain other accounts claim that Martin Luther introduced the Christmas tree lighted with candles. Based on that information you could say the Christmas tree has a distinguished Christian pedigree.
However, even if a pagan background were clearly established, that wouldn't necessarily mean we could not enjoy the use of a Christmas tree. Perhaps the following analogy will help.
During World War II the American military used some remote South Pacific islands for temporary landing strips and supply depots. Prior to that time the indigenous tribal people had never seen modern technology up close. Large cargo planes swooped in filled with an array of material goods, and for the first time the islanders saw cigarette lighters (which they deemed to be miraculous), jeeps, refrigerators, radios, power tools, and many varieties of food.
When the war was over, the islanders concluded that the men who brought cargo were gods, so they began building shrines to the cargo gods. They hoped the cargo gods would return with more goods.
Most people do not even know about this religious superstition. Similarly, few know anything about the worship of trees. When a child pulls a large present out from under the Christmas tree and unwraps a large model cargo plane, no one views that object as an idol. Nor do we view the Christmas tree to be some kind of gift god. We understand the difference between a toy and an idol just as clearly as we understand the difference between an idol and a Christmas tree. We see no valid reason to make any connection between Christmas trees and wooden idols or the worship of trees. Those who insist on making such associations should take note of the warnings in Scripture against judging one another in doubtful things (see Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 10:23-33).
Another common objection is the claim that Christmas trees are prohibited in Scripture. Jeremiah 10 is commonly used to support this viewpoint. But a closer look at the passage will show that it has nothing to do with Christmas trees and everything to do with idol worship. Verse eight says, "A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine."
Idol worship was a clear violation of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:3-6 says, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."
There is no connection between the worship of idols and the use of Christmas trees. We should not be anxious about baseless arguments against Christmas decorations. Rather, we should be focused on the Christ of Christmas and giving all diligence to remembering the real reason for the season.
I respect John MacArthur greatly and value his perspective on the Bible and the Christian Faith. If there were something wrong with Christmas trees, I would think MacArthur would warn us about them.
So pick out tall Evergreen or Spruce, string up the lights and hang the ornaments. Make your home beautiful but keep the true reason for the season in your heart - Jesus!
Until next time, enjoy Michigan and Merry Christmas!!!
