And What About That Christmas Tree? (Gospel, myths, church, believe)

[PG77]

All about the Christmas tree: Pagan origins, Christian adaptation and secular status

Is it pagan or not?

[imbobbbb]

i dont consider it to be a religious symbol,so it has no pagan conotation for me.if ancient pagans had feasts that wouldnt make thanksgiving a 'pagan festival'

[BioAdoptMom3]

Any symbol, can mean anything you want it to mean. I do not consider it pagan and even if the first one has its roots in paganism, if I have one in my home at Christmas and do not consider it pagan, but allow it to represent what I believe the meaning of Christmas to be, the celebration of the birth of our savior, than that is what it is.

Nancy

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by PG77

All about the Christmas tree: Pagan origins, Christian adaptation and secular status

Is it pagan or not?

Is it pagan? No. Was it pagan? Yes. The origins of the Christmas tree are certainly pagan --- as are many, many things: the names of the days of the week, the months, mistletoe, trousers.

[JViello]

A lot of "pagan" rituals were "absorbed" by the church and a Jesus element put in them for the sake of spreading the Gospel.

Paul mentions a similar mindset as well:

1Cr 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

1Cr 9:20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

1Cr 9:21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

1Cr 9:22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

1Cr 9:23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Does it have pagan origination? Yea. Does it mean it's a "sin". Please...

Jesus talked about straining a gnat and swallowing a camel and that's what I believe folks do arguing over Jesus' exact birthdate etc yet lose total focus on the real message of grace, love and salvation.

I believe a real strong argument can be made that our enemy uses such things as a diversionary tactic.

Paul also mentioned a similar mindset:

1Ti 1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work–which is by faith.

[Miss Blue]

I love my Christmas trees..They are definitely a symbol to me..They are a symbol family gathering to fellowship with one another, to renew the bond, to recapture the joys of childhood in watching the eyes and smiles of children anticipating something neat wrapped up in paper and bows..It is a symbol to me, and the other grownups I know, that there is more joy in giving than receiving..It is a symbol that at least once a year, most people put aside hate, predjudice and bad attitudes, because the spirit of christmas is pretty contagious.. and that is the wonder and miracle of the season symbolized by MY christmas tree..In my opinion..

[ted08721]

Originally Posted by blue62

I love my Christmas trees..They are definitely a symbol to me..They are a symbol family gathering to fellowship with one another, to renew the bond, to recapture the joys of childhood in watching the eyes and smiles of children anticipating something neat wrapped up in paper and bows..It is a symbol to me, and the other grownups I know, that there is more joy in giving than receiving..It is a symbol that at least once a year, most people put aside hate, predjudice and bad attitudes, because the spirit of christmas is pretty contagious.. and that is the wonder and miracle of the season symbolized by MY christmas tree..In my opinion..

Well said

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Is it pagan? No. Was it pagan? Yes. The origins of the Christmas tree are certainly pagan --- as are many, many things: the names of the days of the week, the months, mistletoe, trousers.

It's pagan in MY house.