Should This Matter?

The holiday season is upon us. We are inundated with Christmas music, product commercials, lights, decorations, and the typical holiday rush. The Christmas season spouts love and giving, but generally results in more and more stress and materialism each year.

As a family with 4 young children, I am asked almost every year why we do not have a Christmas tree or why my children do not wait anxiously for Santa to visit on Christmas morning. I typically find it hard to explain as there are many facets as to why we do not celebrate Christmas in the “traditional” sense. So, I wanted to write a post to hopefully detail a thorough and Biblical explanation as to why I do not put up a Christmas tree or celebrate with Santa Claus.

As I respond to people’s curiosity at my lack of ‘Christmas spirit’, I see a variety of expressions on the faces of those asking. Usually, surprise is one of them. Occasionally, frustration or exasperation show up. I don’t get upset about that though. I once would have felt that way too if someone told me that a Christmas tree wasn’t Biblical and Santa Claus is a false god replacing Jesus Christ.

You see, I grew up decorating the large Christmas tree with my family as we listened to Christmas music. I remember darting down the stairs before dawn on Christmas morning to see what Santa left for us under the tree. As I think back on these memories, I have only the best of warm feelings, even still today. I think I can even still smell the fresh evergreen scent drifting through the air.

But 10 years ago, I met my husband who grew up not celebrating Christmas at all. He challenged me on why Christians should celebrate with the Christmas tree and Santa Claus stating that neither are Biblical and even pollute the supposed ‘Christian’ holiday. I was surprised and annoyed. But, to be honest, I didn’t have any really good retort to his points. “It’s just tradition.” I would say. That was all I really could say. It was tough to even ponder the concept of a Christmas season without Santa or the tree. How would that even work?

However, the ideas that he placed before me made me think. Why do we celebrate with a tree and does the Bible really have a problem with it? If the season is about Jesus’ birth, than why do we put more emphasis on Santa? It took many years and a large amount of Bible study for me to fully come to where I am now. I am hoping that I can aptly put my thoughts on paper (or digital paper that is) to explain my stance.

Christmas Tree – What is the Biblical Stance?

The Christmas tree has been incorporated into the Christian holiday of Christmas for a long time, so much so, that it feels to us that it is related to the celebration of Christ’s birth, but that is just not so. It really has become mostly tradition at this point in time. Looking back, I don’t recall seeing churches celebrating with Christmas trees, but now, most churches put up a Christmas tree in the lobby of their building. But, as Christians, we should ask, does that make sense?

The Bible obviously doesn’t condemn specifically “Christmas trees” as the Christmas holiday didn’t come about until around the 4th century AD when the church decided to start celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth on December 25th. Although Christ’s birth was likely during spring, the honoring of Christ’s birth around the time of the winter solstice would ensure an easier transition to Christianity for people from the surrounding cultures as those cultures already observed the winter solstice in regards to their own gods. (https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas)

The Christmas tree itself is said to have began in Germany, likely from a play about Adam and Eve where a decorated fir tree was referred to as a “Paradise Tree”. The Germans would decorate a “paradise tree” in their own homes on December 24th. It is believed that this “paradise tree” later morphs into the Christmas tree that we see today. (https://www.britannica.com/plant/Christmas-tree)

However, the use of decorated trees predates the above 16th century tradition by thousands of years. In fact, many if not most large ancient cultures used decorated trees in their worship. (https://www.britannica.com/plant/Christmas-tree)

Now let’s get Biblical. While specifically “Christmas” trees are not mentioned in the Bible, the Old Testament does have a lot to say about the use of trees in worship. So let’s start there.

Grove and the Goddess Asherah

A grove is mentioned throughout much of the Old Testament as an idol that God absolutely hates. At first, I thought a grove meant a literal grove of trees that people would worship under. It is true that ancient people would worship certain gods/goddesses under trees but a grove, when mentioned in the Bible, is generally referring to a tree or a wooden pillar that represented the goddess Asherah. Asherah is a mother goddess also associated with fertility. In the Bible, the name Asherah cannot be found. Instead, the word “grove” is often used as her name and she is usually linked to trees either as a pole of wood or an actual tree. As a result, the tearing down of a grove is described as being cut down or hewn down in the Bible as you would cut down a tree (https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/asherahasherim-bible). There are a few instances in the Bible that use “grove” in reference to worshipping under or placing idols under trees (Jeremiah 17:2-3, 1 Kings 14:23, 15:13, 2 Kings 17:10, 2 Chronicles 15:16).

God demanded absolute worship to Him alone. He says in Exodus 34:14, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Note that God actually names Himself Jealous! Deuteronomy makes it clear that when Israel entered the promised land (Canaan), they were to destroy all of the idolatry out of the land including the groves (Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 7:3, 12:3). As you can see below, the “groves” are listed separately from the other idols/idolatry. Why was God so insistent that Israel tear down every idol? Because God knew it would ensnare them (Deuteronomy 7:25).

Deuteronomy 12:2-3

“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 alters, 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.”

The Bible indicates that the Jews adopted the worship of Asherah from the surrounding Canaanite people. There is also both Biblical and archeological evidence that the Jews included the worship of Asherah right along with their worship of Yahweh. Archeological evidence describes Asherah as Yahweh’s female companion. This evidence is a storage jar that states “Yahweh of Samaria and his Asherah” and “Yahweh of Teman and his Asherah” (https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/asherahasherim-bible). 2 Kings 13:6 tells us that there was indeed a grove in Samaria built by King Jeroboam. This evidence along with Biblical verses regarding the placement of the grove near God’s alter indicate that the Jews likely viewed Asherah as a “wife” to Yahweh. Male gods commonly had female counterparts in ancient mythologies even in Canaan, so it would be extremely likely that the Jews may have adopted that custom as well. The Bible even indicates this in Judges 6:25-26 when Gideon is told to break down the alter of Ba’al (male god) and the “grove that is by it” (female goddess) and build the alter of God in its place. Note that Gideon and the surrounding people were Jews.

God also added another detail which is important to this discussion.

Deuteronomy 16:21

“Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the alter of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.”

Note that there clearly was a desire or tendency to place the grove near the alter of a male god. Also take heed that the grove here is clearly referring to a TREE.

Despite God’s direct warning not to place the grove near the alter of God, the Israelites did so anyway. We know that the northern kingdom of Israel placed a grove at their alter at Bethel from Biblical references such as 2 Kings 23:15 as well as from the archeological evidence mentioned above in regard to Samaria. This practice occurred in Judah as well as 2 Kings 21:7 tells us that Manasseh, king of Judah, placed a grove in the temple. Again, the grove’s presence in the temple is confirmed by 2 Kings 23:6 which describes the righteous king Josiah taking the grove out of God’s temple to destroy it.

The Bible also speaks of the Israelites, often women, decorating the groves (2 Kings 23:7 and Jeremiah 10:4).

2 Kings 23:7

“…where the women wove hangings for the grove.”

God hated the worship of the grove. In fact, it is likely that the grove is the “image of jealousy” from Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel chapter 8 which details the idolatry that leads to the departure of God’s presence from the temple and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem (http://shouldthismatter.com/2019/08/29/image-of-jealousy/). God also lists it as one of the major idolatries that leads to the destruction of the Norther Kingdom, Israel, as well in I Kings 14:15, 16:33.

Jeremiah describes the custom of creating and decorating the grove. He also points out the futility in the process. The grove is not like the one true God. It cannot do anything like God can.

Jeremiah 10:2-6

“This saith 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. For 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. They deck it with silver and with gold: they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must not 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. For as much as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou are great, and they name is great in might.”

The Christmas tree is our Grove

So, on Christmas, a holiday we Christians claim to be about the birth of Jesus, we set up a tree in a place of prominence in our homes. Often we try to place it by a window so people outside can even see it. We decorate it. We place presents underneath of it. We kneel before it on Christmas morning. Perhaps some Christians put up a nativity but I guarantee that in 99.9% of the cases, the nativity is set to the side compared to the Christmas tree.

Just like the Israelites, we place the tree next to God. In fact, the tree overshadows Christ and the celebration of His birth. The tree does nothing for us. It just sits there because we put it there. But Christ DIED for us. He has SAVED us! We pretend to be worshipping Christ on Christmas, but are we? God hated the grove’s presence in His temple! He even DESTROYED the Israelites because their idolatry. The same fate is waiting for us when we set up idolatry in our hearts and homes.

Lawful vs Expedient

Of course, it is true that now the Christmas tree is considered “tradition”. We aren’t really worshipping it as a goddess like the children of Israel did. Right? Perhaps it is true that we are not worshipping it in the same way as Israel, but when we place anything above Christ, that becomes an idol.

The tree itself is not evil. Decorating trees is not necessarily evil. The tree isn’t owned by Satan. “For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (I Corinthians 10:26). But, as Christians, we should be careful what we partake in. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” Just because we may be at liberty to have a tree in our house to decorate it, the fact that we do it at Christmas time along with the rest of the unbelieving world could give honor to forces other than God in other people’s eyes even though we are not meaning to do so.

Interestingly, in 1 Corinthians 10, we see that the early Christians were facing the same dilemma that we face in regards to the Christmas tree. Paul addresses this issue head on. He exhorts the Christians to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). At the beginning of the chapter, he reminds his audience of the Israelites struggle with idolatry (much like I did earlier in this post) and the judgement that resulted. Paul does this because they are examples to us! Apparently, the Christians at that time were unsure if they could eat meat that had been offered to idols by their unbelieving gentile friends. After all, the Christians weren’t sacrificing to idols, they were just consuming meat. It’s just meat right? Paul reminds them of the following:

1 Corinthians 10:19-23

“What say I then? That the idol is anything or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakes of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient…”

He continues in verse 28 encouraging them to not knowingly eat meat offered to idols for the sake of watching unbelievers. We wouldn’t want to hamper anyone from believing in God. Paul reminds us in verse 31, “Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

As Jeremiah commanded in 10:3, “learn not the way of the heathen,” we are to stay separated from the world. Keep in mind that this is the Old Testament equivalent of “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

The decorated tree is a secular tradition that was incorporated into Christmas by Christians long ago. It represents idolatry and God viewed it as such! At Christmas time, does having a tree up further the worship of Jesus? No.

Conclusion

Anyone can easily see that our obsession with the Christmas tree has overshadowed Christ. This spirit is not unlike the spirit of the Jews in their worship of the grove alongside Yahweh as well as the desire of the 4th century Christians to incorporate pagan traditions with Christian values/stances in order to convert people easier. Also, the Bible clearly warns against the idolatry involving the decorated tree.

Are we holding onto the tree for the sake of tradition? Paul shows us that to do so may not be edifying. Our focus should be Christ and Christ alone. Tradition will not save us. Only Christ can do that. Knowing what you know now about 1) how much God despised the worship of the grove especially in His temple and 2) how every action we do as Christians should glorify God, do you feel comfortable having a Christmas tree in your home on what is supposed to be a holiday about Christ? For me the answer is an emphatic NO!

Matthew 6:24

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Santa Claus – Just Another False God to Replace Jesus

My issue with Santa Claus is not all that different from the Christmas tree. I am going to argue that Santa is simply another idol. His infiltration into our homes just comes about in a different way.

Christians promise that Christmas is about Jesus, but spend just as much if not more time promoting a fictional character by the name of Santa Claus. I could go through the origins of Santa Claus, but unlike with the Christmas tree, I don’t think that is necessary. The idolatry of Santa Claus is easy to see.

Let’s list the basic attributes of Santa:

o All-knowing

o Somewhat omnipresent (he does visit millions/billions of homes in one night after all)

o He has an army of workers helping him

o He can judge your behavior allowing him to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior

o Children are encouraged to write to him for their requests

o Children anticipate his coming

o He is considered jolly and good.

Now, let’s list the basic attributes of Jesus Christ:

o All-knowing

o Omnipresent

o He has an army of angels

o He can judge everyone and has the authority to reward and punish

o We are told to pray to Him for anything we need

o We are told to actively anticipate His 2nd coming

o He is loving and righteous

When we break it down, Santa sounds a lot like Jesus Christ. We speak out of two sides of our mouths. We say on the one side that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but then tell our children that Santa is real on the other side. We encourage our children to focus on Santa and await his coming on Christmas morning to either reward or punish our behavior. We are basically turning Santa into Jesus and on what is supposedly the day to celebrate Jesus’ birth of all times!

I choose to tell my children that Santa Claus is not real. I tell them that when we tell children to believe in Santa we are in essence telling them to worship Santa. I do explain to my children that many people do this because it is a fun tradition where all the adults can enjoy the excitement on their children’s faces while they wink at each other knowingly. But, worship is worship after all. And, when we give the characteristics of God to something else, we are committing idolatry.

Our children gather around Santa even waiting in line just to sit on his lap and whisper their inner most desires to him. Why don’t we encourage our children to run to Jesus to pray to him for anything they need? I grew up celebrating with Santa on Christmas morning. It was fun! I used to think it wasn’t such a big deal, I mean, I turned out alright. I am a pretty good Christian now. What’s the big deal? Well, God thinks children and their worship is a big deal!

Matthew 18:10

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always blond the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

Mark 10:13-16

“And they brought young children to him, that the should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of God.”

God wants us to teach our children about Him and Him alone. If God takes our children’s faith seriously, so should we! Belief in Santa diminishes the focus on Jesus Christ!

Deuteronomy 6:7

“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

If the Christmas holiday is about Christ, than why does Santa Claus need to be any part of it? Why are we so insistent to give him the characteristics of Jesus Christ?

What Would Jesus Do? It’s Not What You think…

Remember WWJD bracelets? That was a fad that lasted for a minute or so. While It was mostly a superficial fad, it certainly had truth to it. In everything we do, we should be asking ourselves how Jesus would feel about it. So how would Jesus feel about the Christmas tree and Santa Claus? How would Jesus feel about how we celebrate His holiday? Our culture wants us to accept that Jesus would like the Christmas season. It is a giving, loving, and family oriented season after all, right?

Much of todays so-called “church” emphasizes the Jesus they want to see. The Jesus that says “For God so loved the world…”. Of course, it is true that Jesus is loving. But, He is also JUST. I think people forget about the Jesus that speaks on hell more than heaven or the Jesus who overturned the money changers tables in righteous fury.

Overturning the Tables

Most of us who have sat under sermons have had a chance to learn about what Jesus did when He came into the temple in Jerusalem during the Passover. This event is recorded in Matthew 21:12-16 and John 2:13-17. Instead of people involved in worship, he witnessed the Jews selling and exchanging money within the temple. The temple had become a market place instead of a holy place of worship. The Jews worshipped their materialism and money more than the God of the temple they sat in! Jesus didn’t just stand and preach love, no! He actually took the time to make a whip and then chased out the people from the temple while he overturned the money changer’s tables. He exclaimed “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). This quote is fascinating as it is actually a quote from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah but that is another post for another time.

What would Jesus do if He walked into our homes and churches during Christmas? Would He find us worshipping Him and thanking God for the occasion of His birth? Or would He find us honoring everything this is opposite of Him?

I could see Him coming in and cutting down our Christmas trees, tearing down our picture/ornaments of Santa, and overturning our carefully wrapped presents bought with the same spirit of materialism that He saw in the temple that day in Matthew 21 and John 2. We have polluted His temple by worshipping money and tradition.

Conclusion

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I once celebrated Christmas with all of the traditions that now mark the holiday. When my traditions were challenged, it was hard to imagine Christmas without them. I found it difficult to let go of those traditions as I had began to merge those with the holiday just like everyone else.

I found it hard emotionally to release something I was so fond of, but that felt like nothing compared to the response I receive from society for my decision. People shake their heads and claim that people like me are just ruining a holiday that is about giving and love (which it really isn’t). They even produce movies and stories about people like me – a Grinch! The Grinch in the story wasn’t a nice guy, sure, but one of his greatest faults was that he didn’t want to celebrate during the Christmas season how the world thought he should celebrate. He was expected to love all things Christmas and to not accept it meant he had to be mean.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day had the same problem. I used to look down on them and wonder how they could have been so stupid, until I realized I did the same thing.

Matthew 15:1-3, 8-9, 14

“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of god by your tradition?”

“This people draweth night unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but the heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

Jesus doesn’t want tradition. He wants true worship. He wants us to obey His commandments! He wants ALL of us and ALL of our worship!

At the end of the day, Santa and the tree don’t need to be linked to satanism or the occult to be satanic. 1 Samuel 15:23 says, “for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft...”. Let’s think about that for a moment, the verse doesn’t say divination or sacrificing goats is as witchcraft, it says rebellion is! Rebellion is choosing something else over God whether that be yourself, money, or traditions. We put so much effort into Christmas trees and Santa but little to no effort into celebrating Jesus, our Lord and Savior! That is satanic. There is no other option. Of course, this doesn’t just apply on Christmas, but I believe that it is especially visible during the Christmas season.

I know some people who choose to do nothing at all on Christmas Day. I choose to still celebrate the birth of Christ with my children. We emphasize why we are so thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ and spend the day in reflection on that great gift. We don’t need a Christmas tree or Santa Claus to do that. We just need open hearts that love God.