Jeremiah 10:2–5, 

A Christmas Tree?

Is this passage a denunciation of the Christmas tree? Some say yes, and others so no. Let’s briefly discuss this issue.

The use of trees or wooden poles as an object of worship in the ancient world was universal as a fertility/phallic symbol. The Bible strongly condemns involvement with this pagan custom. Obviously the tree of Jer 10 is not a Christmas tree, since Christmas as we know it didn’t enter into Christianity until about the late fifth century AD. However, the pagan implications of the Christmas tree are clear as evidenced by history, which is why it was outlawed by the Puritans and many other religious groups in America. It was not until the 1850s with many Germans migrating to America with their Christmas tree tradition that Christmas became popularized again in this country.

The scriptures advise us to abstain from all appearances of evil. At the very least, because of its pagan connotation, a Christmas tree is an appearance of evil. Furthermore, where in the Bible do we find any examples of YHVH’s people reclaiming a pagan tradition, sanitizing it, and them practicing it? This occurred only when Israel was in a state of apostasy or was attempting to syncretize the religion of the Bible with the pagan practices of the surrounding nations.

True, many things in our daily lives have been tainted by paganism. If we were to toss out everything that fits that category, we probably wouldn’t be able to say anything, wear anything, eat anything, or do anything! What we are to throw out are those things that the Bible forbids, anything that is indigenously pagan, or anything that leads us away from YHVH and his Word.

Often our view of the Scriptures is filtered through our emotions. We all struggle with this spiritual disease. When we’re extremely partial to a belief or an idea, we have a hard time conforming our lives to those Scriptures that disagree with us. Thus, we have a spiritual blind spot. For many, Christmas has become a spiritual blind spot because it is so ingrained in our families and the culture. It is perhaps the hardest thing for people to let go of because of family and emotional ties. Each of us has to make the choice: do we love the praises of family or the praises of Elohim more (John 12:43)?

Some might accuse those who see Jeremiah 10 as a denunciation of the Christmas tree of prooftexting. By definition, a prooftext is a biblical passage used to support a theological argument or position. It can’t be denied that Jeremiah 10 is the perfect description of what has come to be known as a Christmas tree. This is not prooftexting, this is fact. The Word of Elohim says don’t do it. This is fact. I didn’t make it up, I just read it and believe it. Furthermore, to view Jeremiah 10 as a stand alone scripture or prooftext is incorrect. When Jeremiah 10 is placed against the larger context of the heathen practices of the Gentile cultures around ancient Israel, and against the Bible’s repeated prohibitions against (a) Israel’s adopting pagan religious practices of any kind, and (b) more specifically, not bringing into Israel the worship of the pagan fertility symbols of which the tree was a central object, YHVH’s prohibition against the Jeremiah 10 tree was much wider and broader implications. Basically, YHVH says “don’t do it,” and for me that settles it. YHVH wants a people for his own who will unquestioningly obey his word; who are of a contrite heart and tremble before (i.e., obey) his word (Isa 66:2). 

Elohim has given us seven biblical feasts that we can do that will bring glory and honor to him. Let’s practice and rejoice in what he has given us.

For the record, I don’t view the celebration of Christmas or putting up a Christmas tree as a cardinal sin. Christmas is the one time of the year the world chooses to focus on Yeshua. Halleluyah! May it cause many people to turn to him. We all know Yeshua wasn’t born in December, and that the pagans had festivals at that time to celebrate the rebirth of their son god at the winter solstice. I for one don’t lament Christmas (I do lament the pagan practices associated with the celebration of Yeshua’s birth, though), I just don’t practice it, although I certainly affirm and rejoice in our Savior’s birth. 

Jeremiah 10:1, Do not learn the way of the nations. This passage is familiar to a few, but unfamiliar to the majority. After YHVH’s admonition to his people to not follow the idolatrous customs of the heathen nations, Jeremiah describes one of their “futile” or “vain” (literally, empty or meaningless) customs—one with which we are all familiar! What follows is a perfect description of a Christmas tree minus the star on top, twinkle lights and a few other garish ornamentations.

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Jeremiah 10:2, Do not learn the way of the nations.

This passage is familiar to a few people, but unfamiliar to the majority. After YHVH’s admonition to his people to not follow the idolatrous customs of the heathen nations, Jeremiah describes one of their “futile” or “vain” (literally, empty or meaningless) customs—one with which we are all familiar! What follows is a perfect description of a Christmas tree minus the star on top, twinkle lights and a few other garish ornamentations. Some ardent devotes of Christmas aver that Jeremiah’s tree is not a Christmas tree, since this passage was penned long before the birth of Christ. This is true. However, much later (in about the fifth century AD) the church simply added “Christ” to a pagan custom that long pre-existed the birth of the Messiah. Therefore, as the expression goes: If it looks, acts and sounds like a duck, it must be one!

Many people are familiar with this passage in Jeremiah, but what is the greater message of this passage in the larger context of the surrounding scripture verses? This is often overlooked. Understanding context is perhaps the greatest key to understanding the truths of the Bible!

Before and after Jeremiah’s description of the modern Christmas tree, are numerous lamentations about YHVH people abandoning his Torah-laws for heathen and carnal practices (e.g., 8:9; 9:13–14). They have backslid spiritually (e.g., 8:5–6) by turning to the idolatrous practices of the surrounding pagan nations (e.g., 8:19; 10:8–9, 14–15). Even their shepherds (spiritual leaders such as pastors have become brutish or dull-hearted in this regard and have turned away from YHVH (e.g. 10:21). 

In the midst of Jeremiah’s woeful lament over Israel’s spiritual declension are warnings from the Almighty about the judgments that will come upon Israel ifit fails to repent and turn from its heathen ways (e.g. 8:13, 15–19; 9:7–12, 15–22, 25–26; 10:10–11; 17–25).

Perhaps YHVH’s greatest accusation against his people comes in the last verse of chapter 9, just before the description of the Christmas tree. YHVH accuses the people of Israel of being “uncircumcised in heart.” This is a biblical expression that means that a person’s heart is hardened or calloused to the truth of YHVH as revealed in his Word. Such a person is more inclined to follow the ways of the world, the flesh and the devil then to love YHVH Elohim by obeying his commandments (see John 14:15) whether it’s convenient, expedient or popular or not (note what Yeshua says in John 12:43).

We’ve all heard the excuses… “I can’t give up Christmas because…. Our family… My mother-in-law… My kids…What will people think if…?” You fill in the blanks. More Importantly, what does YHVH Elohim say about this? Well, he tells us quite clearly and unmistakably in Jeremiah 10 and the surrounding chapters!

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The Christmas Tree in Jeremiah 10

The use of trees or wooden poles as an object of worship in the ancient world was universal as a fertility or phallic symbol. In many places, the Bible strongly condemns involvement with this pagan custom. Obviously the tree of Jeremiah 10:1–5 is not a Christmas tree, since Christmas as we know it didn’t enter into Christianity until about the late fifth century AD. However, the pagan implications of the Christmas tree are clear as evidenced by history, which is why it was outlawed by the Puritans and many other religious groups in America in the 1700s. It was not until the 1850s with many Germans migrating to America with their Christmas tree tradition that Christmas became popularized again in this country.

The Scriptures advise us to abstain from all appearances of evil (1 Thess 5:22). At the very least, because of its pagan connotation, a Christmas tree is an appearance of evil. Furthermore, where in the Bible do we find any examples of YHVH’s people reclaiming a pagan tradition, sanitizing it, and then practicing it? This occurred only when Israel was in a state of apostasy or was attempting to syncretize the religion of the Bible with the pagan practices of the surrounding nations.

True, many things in our daily lives have been tainted by paganism. If we were to toss out everything that fits that category, we probably wouldn’t be able to say anything, wear anything, eat anything, or do anything. Some of us would even have to change our names! What we are to throw out are those things that the Bible forbids, anything that is indigenously pagan, or anything that leads us away from YHVH and his Word.

Often our view of the Scriptures is filtered through our emotions. We all struggle with this spiritual disease. When we’re extremely partial to a belief or an idea, we have a hard time conforming our lives to those biblical scriptures that disagree with us. Thus, we have a spiritual blind spot. For many, Christmas has become a spiritual blind spot because it is so ingrained in our families and the culture. It is perhaps the hardest thing for people to let go of because of family and emotional ties. Each of us has to make the choice: do we love the praises of family or the praises of Elohim more (John 12:43)?

Jeremiah 10:1–5 is the perfect description of what has come to be known as a Christmas tree. The Word of Elohim says don’t do it. This is fact. I didn’t make it up, I just read it and believe it. Further, Jeremiah 10 isn’t a stand alone scripture. When this passage is placed against the backdrop of the heathen practices of the Gentile cultures around ancient Israel, and against the Bible’s repeated prohibitions against (a) Israel’s adopting pagan religious practices of any kind, and (b) more specifically, not bringing into Israel the worship of the pagan fertility symbols of which the tree was a central object, YHVH’s prohibition against the Jeremiah 10 tree was much wider and broader implications. Basically, YHVH says “don’t do it,” and for the serious follower of Yeshua, that should settle the issue. YHVH is searching for a people to be his own who have of a contrite heart and who tremble before (i.e., obey) his word (Isa 66:2). 

As opposed to Christmas, Elohim has given us seven biblical feasts that we can do that will bring glory and honor to him. Let’s practice and rejoice in what he has given us.

For the record, I don’t view the celebration of Christmas or putting up a Christmas tree as a cardinal sin. Christmas is the one time of the year the world chooses to focus on Yeshua. Halleluyah! May it cause many people to turn to him. Remember what Paul said about Yeshua being lifted up even under questionable circumstances?

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (Phil 1:15–18)

Most well-informed individuals know that Yeshua wasn’t born in December, and that the pagans had festivals at the winter solstice to celebrate the rebirth of their pagan sun gods. 

I for one don’t lament Christmas (I do lament the pagan practices associated with the celebration of Yeshua’s birth, though). I just don’t practice it, although I certainly affirm and rejoice in our Savior’s birth. Actually he was born in the fall about the time of the biblical festival of the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot in Hebrew). There is ample biblical proof to confirm this, but this will be for another discussion.