Christmas trees

[John Robinson]

Maybe this site and its participants are not interested in the same.

Within four posts you've managed to resurrect a bit of old flame bait AND insult us. Well done, sir.

[Be_Comforted]

Peace,

God guides us to the answers we seek through his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can only guide those who want to know the truth because they submit to his guidance.

[Selasphorus]

Yes, this is a very old debate and we still put them into our homes. Yes, I would prefer to use a lunar calendar as Jesus did, but that is not very practical. Removing a tree is. Enjoying the moon is different than worshipping it. Trees glorify God, but not in our homes. Are we really looking for excuses to follow the commandments of men?

Here is a more generic question. Do we and should we try our best to walk as Jesus walked? It is also an age old question. How did He walk? How did Paul and the Apostles try to walk?

in my humble opinion, i think we should always strive to be more like Christ, but i don't think there's a generic answer to the question; it depends on the person and God's will for that individual. the Bible instructs us to work out our own salvation:

Philippians 2:12,13 (KJV) ¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

[GoldenEagle]

Can someone tell me why Christians still worship around decorated fir trees? I did for many years but now I wonder what the difference is between golden calfskin and Christmas trees.

First welcome to Worthy Anderseric.

We in our family don't worship around Christmas trees in our home. We have one but the focus is always Christ for us during Christmas. To us a Christmas tree is just something fun to decorate. However, if it is a stumbling block I recommend not having a Christmas tree in your home.

I'd like to share three thoughts if I may...

1. It is not what is outside that defies a person but what comes from the inside. Our thoughts, words, and actions either bring honor to God or dishonor to Him. Would you agree?

Mark 7:14-16

¹⁴ When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: ¹⁵ There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. ¹⁶ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

2. Jesus gave strict warnings regarding being concerned with the outward and not the inward. The focus for His disciples was the inward change that comes throught the Holy Spirit. Would you agree?

Matt. 23:25-28

²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.^{[f] 26} Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

3. Don't be concerned brother with calendars, trees, or even candles. Instead, focus on exemplifying the fruits of God's Holy Spirit. That is something worth spending time on and talking about. Would you agree?

Gal 5:22-26

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Food for thought brother. Hope this helps?

God bless you!

GE

[Sevenseas]

Peace,

God guides us to the answers we seek through his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can only guide those who want to know the truth because they submit to his guidance.

And who is the judge of who the Holy Spirit guides? I am satisfied that God knows our hearts and that is where He looks

He does not judge the outside like the op of this thread appears to be doing....we each have only one conscience....I would suggest

that those who are bothered by whatever influence they deem pagan, deal with that influence and kindly realize that as this

thread evolves into a subtle form of manipulation, that by itself is considered pagan according to scripture

God, does not manipulate

Yes, this is a very old debate and we still put them into our homes. Yes, I would prefer to use a lunar calendar as Jesus did, but that is not very practical. Removing a tree is. Enjoying the moon is different than worshipping it. Trees glorify God, but not in our homes. Are we really looking for excuses to follow the commandments of men?

Here is a more generic question. Do we and should we try our best to walk as Jesus walked? It is also an age old question. How did He walk? How did Paul and the Apostles try to walk?

Well then, since you seem to be aware of the historical debate, why do YOU still have a tree in YOUR home at Christmas?

I have not read in scripture where Jesus used any calendar whatsoever and I have many things in my home Jesus did not have

including modern conveniences.....would you also like to dress as Jesus did? Why stop at the calendar...wear a dress

Paul said it was ok to eat meat sacrificed to idols and told new converts they did not have to follow Jewish ceremonial law

But you go ahead...just remember though, follow ALL of it not just the parts you want others to follow

Walk to church on Sunday..no wait, you are going to have to change that day...and do not wear any clothes with mixed fabric

Trying to satisfy those few demands should keep you busy until...oh....I guess next year at this time by which time, I am

sure you will be happy to report you have no plants in your home, you wear only natural fiber clothes and you have got

rid of your car and are happy with a middle eastern diet but just cannot quite get used to the taste of figs...and your teeth

hurt as you have stopped brushing them because, well, the Bible states nothing about brushing our teeth, so just

to be on the safe side you have stopped that practice

[Guest]

You are right. I will look into the birthday cake candle possibility. Thank you for opening my eyes and helping me hear His word. If candles are pagan then I am glad to stop that tradition too. To answer your question, Jesus is my lord and savior. I found your site randomly or if you will was led to find you. Seeking to walk as Jesus did is not trivial. That is my goal. Maybe this site and its participants are not interested in the same.

Blessings to you and your members.

~

Blessings

Sir, we would see Jesus John 12:21 (c )

[enoob57]

Can someone tell me why Christians still worship around decorated fir trees? I did for many years but now I wonder what the difference is between golden calfskin and Christmas trees.

[MissPlaced_56]

@ Anderseric,

I'm going to tell you a story,so please pay close attention as there will be a moral to the story.

WE have 2 elderly neighbor ladies,both widowed...It was almost Christmas,One of the elderly ladies was sayin that everyones decorations look so pretty, but since she was unable to decorate her place looked like the black hole of calcutta,always.....So a few day's later We were decorating our home Getting ready to Celebrate the Birth Of Our LORD( the biggest birthday Party ever!!) My heart was heavy thinking about her.....as i went thru my decoration's making sure that the lights worked ect...I began to wonder IF I had enough to share??....sadly the answer was no....As I was speaking with OUR LORD about this and Telling HIM just how upset i was about this.....I was suddenly inspired!!!

I stopped what i was doing and called 2 of my neighbor's and asked them over for coffee....when they arrived, I told them of my delema, and asked if they would like to contribute their extra decorations???,they joyfully said YES!!

So the next day we went to her house loaded down with decorations and just began to decorate.....she came out on her porch to see what we were up to..I wish you could have seen the look on her face!!.....She was overwhelmed with JOY!!..she even went in and baked us some cookies....pretty soon the other nrighbor lady who always just put up a big sign that said "MERRY CHRISTMAS" came out and over to see what we were doing as well...we got the feeling that she would love to have this done for her as well.....what do you know, we had enough to also decorate her place as well.....

and so we did...it was a long and tireing day and yet one of the best days of all of our lives,,,,,

yes it was only light's, garland, and bows...BUT these earthly trappings had brought such joy to these ladies,it let them know that they were loved and not alone.

I believe with all my heart that OUR LORD was Honored that day as HE watched HIS children sharing HIS love and all it took were some light's, Garland, bow's ........

So I sit here and smile as I look at my pretty Christmas tree....for you see to me it's not just a tree, it's a symbol of ALL that HE IS.....

some years it has a star on top that symbolizes The the Star that hung over HIS precious Birth Place, the light's are the Brightness and goodness That HE Brings to all of our lives....In Short THE LOVE that HE has for us all that brought HIM into this world in the first place for all of our sakes.....

Anderseric, when your list of "Thou Shalt NOTS" is longer then your arm then you have missed ALL That CHRIST IS!! and have wondered in to the dry , and dusty land of legalism......a very cold lifeless place to be.

[John Robinson]

I love that story, MissPlaced! What a blessing!

[MissPlaced_56]

@ John Robinson,

Thank you John, that day the neighbor's across the street from me and the neighbors next door, and the 2 elderly ladies and my family and i all we're very bless!