|
The song goes:
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree,
how lovely are thy
branches ...
Men seem to want to idolize the creation or
themselves. This is the basis for every holiday that men
have devised in opposition to the holy days and sabbaths that God
created.
God gives those who love not the truth over to strong
delusion. [2TH 2:11] The biblical evidence clearly shows that
Jesus was born in the Fall, not in the dead of winter.
Furthermore, the celebration of birthdays is actually foreign to the people
of God. The scripture shows that there would be false Christs, even
those who claim that Jesus is the Christ, and yet would deceive many. John
writes that "...no lie is of the truth." 1JO 2:21 The truth cannot come out of a lie. It ought to be asked: "Who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature
more than the Creator...?" ROM 1:25
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the
end thereof [are] the ways of death. PRO 14:12
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the
end thereof [are] the ways of death. PRO 16:25
John admonishes us: "Little children, keep
yourselves from idols. Amen." 1JO 5:21
For those who do not care for the truth:
"Have yourself a Merry Little
Christmas..."
But the truth of God, both bitter and sweet,
fulfills. With Jesus; the Truth, Way and Life; as our daily bread,
our bread of life, we are promissed eternal life. That "evergreen
tree" that you cut down for one holiday is going to die.
Love,
Marlin
P.S.: Thus 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 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. Forasmuch as [there
is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in
might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it
appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all
their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee. But they are
altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.
JER 10:2-8
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 11:14
AM
Subject: RE: [TruthTalk] Christmas
Trees
Laura,
Can we hold off on the discussion
of nativity sets until we have resolved this Christmas tree issue first? Do
you really think that “what is pagan for some may not be pagan for others???
Isn’t this a classic example of humanistic moral relativism? The main question
is not what someone “feels” is
pagan. (God doesn’t really care about our feelings when judgment day
arrives, does He?) The question should be, I think, what does the Lord say is pagan? Can we discuss it
from that angle? Ideas, anyone? How do we discover whether or not the Lord
considers having a Christmas tree is an ungodly practice from the Lord’s point
of view? Marlin has brought up this issue several times, and I think it would
be a good thing to discuss as a group.
Izzy
-----Original
Message-----
From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 11:50
PM
To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Fwd: [TruthTalk] Christmas
Trees
Below is more from the site Marlin
recommended. Note that it also mentions the fruitlike tree from the
garden of Eden. Interesting that it is also mentioned in the article I
posted. Personally I think that if someone feels a Christmas Tree is
pagan and if it doesn't represent the "symbols" associated with Christmas then
it is wrong for them to have a tree. I like the tree as a symbol and the
lights and ornaments and other decorations. In no way am I intending to
put down Marlin. My intent is only to point out that what is pagan for
some may not be pagan for others.
Question: Would any of you
consider Nativity sets idols? Just curious.
Laura
During the Middle Ages, the
Germans believed the evergreen trees were especially imbued with life since
they remained green throughout all of winter. Greenery was prominent in pagan
winter celebrations in honour of the tree spirit or spirit of
fertility.
The Romans trimmed the trees with trinkets and toys at that
time of year. The Druids tied gilded apples to tree branches. For many, a tree
decorated with orbs and fruit-like object symbolised the tree of life in the
garden of Eden.
|
