The Christmas Tree: The Most Pagan Symbol of Christmas

Originally posted on October 7, 2013

I have some pagan friends–or at least the husband calls himself pagan, and he refuses to put up a Christmas tree because he wants to avoid celebrating anything related to Christianity or God.

The irony is that the Christmas tree is the most pagan of the symbols of Christmas.

I know that the Old Testament often refers to Asherah trees and pillars of wood being erected in the woods, or near an altar, to worship pagan gods and goddesses:  ”Never set up for yourselves an Asherah of any wood beside an altar to Yahweh your God”  ~Deuteronomy 16:21  But I had never realized that the decorating of trees was the same practice, just taken a step further until I read this recently in Jeremiah:

“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles (pagans);

Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,

For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.

For the customs of the peoples are futile (vanity);

For one cuts a tree from the forest,

The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

They decorate it with silver and gold;

They fasten it with nails and hammers

So that it will not topple…

They must be carried,

Because they cannot go by themselves.  ~Jeremiah 10:2-5

The history of the Christmas tree as we know it is a bit ambiguous, but seems to come on the scene somewhere around 15-1600 AD.  My guess is the Gentiles who became believers in Christ, and wanted to celebrate Christmas, brought some of their pagan beliefs with them and morphed them into one practice:  adorning a tree whilst worshiping the birth of Christ.  I guess it seemed like a good idea to them.

Of course, this is prescribed against as completely heretical, because God seriously abhors the worshiping of any idols in any way, shape, or form, as was frequently done in ancient times with trees and pillars and graven images; it is His most serious sin besides blaspheming Him.  To erect an adorned tree to celebrate the birth of God’s favorite Son is like worshiping God by sacrificing your son or daughter to Baal.  It just should never be done.