The Christmas tree

 

 

As time went by, people began to make the Christmas tree on the day which was supposed to be the day on which Jesus was born (that is, on the 25th of December).

The custom of celebrating Christmas with a tree dates back to the period of time during which Martin Luther (1483-1546) lived. Historians say that this custom spread along the Rhine first, then all over Germany; in the end, the custom crossed the borders of Germany and spread all over Europe.

Since the ancient times trees have meant something to peoples; I remind you that the fig tree and the oak tree were considered holy trees by the Romans, that the Assyrians and the Phoenicians worshiped certain trees and that in the course of the centuries many savage tribes have worshiped certain trees.

As for trees, we have to say that the Scripture contains some references to them because it often compares men to trees. The following passages of the Scriptures confirm this:

● “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).

● “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12).

● “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

As you can see, the righteous who does the will of God is compared to a tree whose leaves are always green and which never fails to bring fruit.

However, according to Wisdom, the tree symbolizes both Wisdom itself and a longing fulfilled, for it is written that Wisdom is “a tree of life to those who take hold of her” (Proverbs 3:18 – NKJV) and that “a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12 – NIV).

Furthermore, if we add those scriptures which say that in the middle of the street of the heavenly Jerusalem is the tree of life (Revelation 22:2), we will see that it was not by chance that some began to celebrate the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December with an evergreen tree, because according to them it represented the life which was manifested.

However, many people buy the Christmas tree, deck it with lights, and put the Christmas gifts under it, just because it is a custom followed by most people; as a matter of fact to them the Christmas tree means nothing.

As far as we are concerned, since we don’t celebrate the birth of Jesus, we don’t accept the custom of making the Christmas tree.

However, we know that unfortunately, and I say it again, unfortunately, this custom has been accepted by many Christians, for when Christmas comes you can see the Christmas tree in their houses and even in many places of worship: they don’t care if what they do is not written in the Bible, because they don’t want to look different from the Roman Catholics even in this matter.

However, what a contradiction; they are willing to accept a custom which was not followed by the early Churches but they are not willing to accept a custom which the early Churches of God had, such as that of the veil for a woman when she prays or prophesies!! That shows us that to many believers it is more important to conform to strange and pagan customs, than to customs which are Biblical and Christian. Judge for yourselves what I say, brothers.

 

 

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