Is the Christmas Tree a pagan custom?

[@sanguiniusse434]

Your videos are always so comfortable to watch. I have a lot of anxiety that interferes with my prayer life. But your videos are always so calm and relaxing, they get me into a place where I can let go of my worldly worries and be with God in peace.

[@RestfullyRenewed]

Satan will use anything to interfere with our prayer life. Praying for you.

[@OrthoKarter]

God bless you.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

The fear of "is x pagan" is a self refutation in a way to those who claim to be Christian as it implies that Christ is not stronger than paganism.

[@lafayetteplace3031]

It also makes us look bad as if we see pagans as dirty people. Some of our flock should be more tender in our wording. But it is a different culture is a more appropriate way to phrase it.

[@robertbaker9785]

Love these commentaries!!

[@brandonslade2134]

I love how youre playing O Holy Night in the background. My favorite song. "Fall on your knees."

[@Ianassa91]

Loved this: "We should respect pagans because they became the first christians, and we should respect the early christians because they are our ancestors."

[@so_she_said]

Love this Christmas series

[@ameecallaghan7979]

This Christmas series has been wonderful!

[@despairknot]

"Behold I make all things new" - Revelations

[@majinflaco8353]

Nice work. I think your knowledge is similar to jonathan pageau work. Thanks for keeping Christmas alive.

[@Candielou87]

What about the Yule log?

[@Patristix]

Another tradition often thought to have pagan origins and yet is impossible to trace back that far. The Yule Log is first referred to in history as "the Christmas Log" in the late 17th century. It becomes the Yule Log later. We have no ancient connection with a ritual log burning. It seems to be a Christian tradition of keeping the light of Christ through the 12 days of Christmas. Yule itself seems to be an ancient word for the winter season rather than a dedicated pagan festival and the earliest uses of the word Yule all seem to be synonymous with...Christmas. We've added a Yule article to the description of this video

[@joachimjustinmorgan4851]

We have a fake tree. It feels wrong so I sometimes still go out and get a real one. The fake one is up this year though.

[@Lagassejames]

Pagans did bring evergreens into their homes in winter, they were natural air fresheners. When you have long winters with your house closed up you need to do something to offset the smells. The fresh smell,of am]n evergreen is helpful and burning the boughs will fill the air with a wonderful smell.

[@nathanjohnwade2289]

Thanks for helping to show light on the myths.

[@br2870]

This was fun!

[@donnat2793]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I can't wait to watch the other videos! God bless you & your family. 🙂🎄🎄

[@dirtpoorrobins]

Oh no. The word “pagan” is in the title. Expect a lot of comments from people that didn’t actually watch the video 🤣 This was really well done though. I will be sharing it out

[@foxecarpentress4964]

Interesting, I never heard these truths!

[@tSeychellek]

Thanks for the video. I love history, especially Canonical, and I’ve been conflicted about the tree and the dressing of it. The ONLY reason is because of scripture. Jeremiah 2-4. You didn’t bring this verse up. Can you please address this? Thank you.

[@Patristix]

Thanks for watching!🎄 Firstly I’d say that those verses in Jeremiah 10 are about idolatry and not about decorating trees. We don’t worship/idolise Christmas trees. Imagery/beauty DOES NOT equal idolatry. The Early Church was clear on that. Imagery, including Christmas trees, has pointed Christians to Christ for centuries. Also, a closer look at the verses in Jeremiah 10 shows multiple mentions of ‘the hands of the workman’ and work of the ax. It is decked with silver and gold, fastened etc. Then verse 5 anthropomorphises the tree. These verses are NOT about the tree. The people mentioned are literally fashioning a tree into an idol, in the image of a god. The mention of a tree in verse 3 is to point out that no matter how they shape it, this idol will always be a tree. A similar point is made in Isaiah 44:14-17 Finally, showing that these verses in Jeremiah are not about trees and that it is possible to decorate and use them towards our worship of God, is the temple. 1 Kings 6 talks about tree designs there! Everything is made of cedars, and they LITERALLY overlay them with gold. Ezekiel 41:20 talks of palm trees carved from the floor to above the door. Many other mentions of trees ‘in the house of God’ are in the scriptures. Imagery, art, beauty, ourselves… as Christians we bring it all to God to be transformed to His glory! Hope this helps, and that you have a wonderful Christmas!

[@vanessac.7040]

@@Patristix this is a beautiful explanation. All Glory be to God! ☦️💕

[@IC.XC.NI.KA.]

Very clear and articulate. Thank you!

[@varelion]

BTW, the story of Bonifatius praising a fir tree after he cut down the holy oak is a new myth, created in a poem of the 19th century. In real, Bonifatius just cut down the tree (with some help, I guess). And when there was no punishment by Donar/Thor after this deed, he had at least partly convinced the audience of the non-existence of their gods. This was sufficient. And (!) it is important to know, that at that time in this moderate region of Germany (Fritzlar in Hessia) there were no fir trees. These trees had been imported since the second half of the 19th century from Scandinavia as a fast-growing substitue for the broadleaf-trees that had been used in the process of growing industrialization.

[@opabinnier]

It would have been a real treat if you had got the tree fight: the classic Xmas tree is the SPRUCE, not the fir. (I think firs are finer and more elegant, but only a Norway spruce truly looks and smells like Christmas...)

[@KimThomas-vp4vm]

The Oak Tree is in the OT, tree of righteousness.

[@varelion]

One of the main logical reasons for the use of a fir tree was because it was fully green in winter. An oak tree in December would be a rather disappointing view. So, to represent life, you need an evergreen tree or branches. Caspar David Friedrich did not only portray old trees but also ruins of old castles or monasteries. If he portrayed people in his paintings, then those would be dressed in old German garb that was forbidden since 1819. So, Friedrich adored old trees, buildings and traditional clothes and by their miserable condition expressed the oppression of patriotic values and thoughts. And ... why wouldn't Christians be allowed to invent a tree of life on their own without too many references to biblical Christianity? It was still very cold, dark and fruitless in winter on the latitude of Germany. And so it is no wonder that all the things you miss so dearly in winter - green, warm light, fruits, red colors - are represented in this extremely powerful and successful combination of symbols that the Christmas tree today is.

[@WilliamDusing]

Thanks!

[@mrsnkg7904]

Glory to God. Kyrie Iesu Christe Eleison Me 💖🙏🎄

[@henridib7222]

🎄☦️🎄

[@Liza11-11]

Jeremiah 10:1-5 says: "1 Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. 2 This is what the Lord says: 'Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not topple. 5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good." This passage is a warning from God to the Israelites not to adopt the pagan practices of the surrounding nations. Specifically, it describes the custom of cutting down a tree, decorating it with precious metals, and worshiping it as an idol. Seek the truth before it's too late 🙏 Isaiah 29:13 says: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.'" (NIV)

[@Patristix]

Copied from our earlier replies to the same question: Those verses in Jeremiah 10 are about idolatry and not about decorating trees. We don’t worship/idolise Christmas trees. Imagery/beauty DOES NOT equal idolatry. The Early Church was clear on that. Imagery, including Christmas trees, has pointed Christians to Christ for centuries. Also, a closer look at the verses in Jeremiah 10 shows multiple mentions of ‘the hands of the workman’ and work of the ax. It is decked with silver and gold, fastened etc. Then verse 5 anthropomorphises the tree. These verses are NOT about the tree. The people mentioned are literally fashioning a tree into an idol, in the image of a god. The mention of a tree in verse 3 is to point out that no matter how they shape it, this idol will always be a tree. A similar point is made in Isaiah 44:14-17 Finally, showing that these verses in Jeremiah are not about trees and that it is possible to decorate and use them towards our worship of God, is the temple. 1 Kings 6 talks about tree designs there! Everything is made of cedars, and they LITERALLY overlay them with gold. Ezekiel 41:20 talks of palm trees carved from the floor to above the door. Many other mentions of trees ‘in the house of God’ are in the scriptures. Imagery, art, beauty, ourselves… as Christians we bring it all to God to be transformed to His glory! Hope this helps, and that you have a wonderful Christmas!

[@bibleman8010]

The idea that Christmas might be pagan was advanced as early as 1648 in the work Certain Queries Touching the Rise and Observation of Christmas, written by the Puritan Joseph Heming. Later fundamentalist writers took the idea and ran with it. One particularly influential writer was Alexander Hislop (1807-1865), a minister for the Free Church of Scotland who published a pamphlet in 1853 titled The Two Babylons. In this pamphlet, Hislop claimed that Roman Catholicism is really nothing more than re-branded Babylonian paganism and that all the holidays associated with Catholicism are actually ancient Babylonian religious festivals in honor of the heathen gods. Hislop was a zealot, vehemently anti-Catholic, and a crank whose ideas had almost no factual basis whatsoever, but his work became extremely influential among Protestant fundamentalists. It is from Hislop that the concept of Christmas as the “birthday of Tammuz” derives. [Some of the above comes from an article published 8.DEC.21 by D. Armstrong] The above said, there is no denying that some traditions and customs surrounding Christmas are derived from pre-Christian beliefs and practices; the tree (a Germanic tradition), the “plant” traditions - holly, ivy, mistletoe (from the Celts). Indeed, many of our present-day customs and traditions, from the days of the week to the candles you blow out on your birthday cake, have pre-Christian antecedents; but no one really seems to complain about those. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that very few people are even remotely aware of them. Quite frankly, whether one wishes to acknowledge it or not, the “pagan-ness” has been effectively ‘bread out’ of these Christmas traditions for well over 1,000 years now. They have, for all intents and purposes, become completely Christianized. Like other pre-Christian customs and traditions that have become part of our culture, it’s time for some to get over it. 😊😊The first Xmass tree Boniface steadied the nerves of his friends and as they approached the pagan gathering he said, “Here is the Thunder Oak; and here the cross of Christ shall break the hammer of the false god Thor.” [4] Boniface and his friends arrived at the time of the sacrifice, which was interrupted by their presence. In a show of great trust in God and born from a desire to enkindle the fire of Christ in the German pagans, Boniface grabbed an axe and chopped down the Thunder Oak of mighty Thor. The Germans were astounded. The holy bishop preached the Gospel to the people and used a little fir tree that was behind the now felled oak tree as a tool of evangelization. Pointing to it he said, “This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace… It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.”[5] Awed by the destruction of the oak tree and Boniface’s preaching, the Germans were baptized. Boniface continued his missionary efforts into old age when in 754, he left for a trip to Frisia with fifty monks. Their work was successful and many pagans agreed to receive baptism. When the appointed time came to celebrate the sacrament, a large armed crowd of pagans approached the missionaries. Knowing his time to die was at hand, Boniface discouraged his followers from fighting and said, “Cease my sons, from fighting, give up warfare for the witness of Scripture recommends that we do not give an eye for an eye but rather good for evil. Here is the long awaited day; the time of our end has now come; courage in the Lord!”[6] The ferocious pagan attack left Boniface and his fellow companions dead and celebrated as martyrs for the Faith. His later biographer, Othlo, recalled Boniface’s deep love for the people who he endeavored for so long to bring to Christ: The holy bishop Boniface can call himself father of all the inhabitants of Germany, for it was he who first brought them forth in Christ with the words of his holy preaching; he strengthened them with his example; and lastly, he gave his life for them; no greater love than this can be shown.”[7] In the centuries that followed, the Catholic tradition of using an evergreen tree to celebrate the birth of Jesus spread throughout Germany, and German immigrants in the eighteenth century brought the custom to the New World. Although there are many stories, legends, and myths surrounding the founding of the Christmas tree, including the claim that the custom originated with Martin Luther, there is only one story rooted in a real person and a real event: Boniface, converter of the Germans, who destroyed Thor’s mighty oak.😎😎

[@SearchfortheMeaning]

It is symbolic perfection my friends. Ver mysterious perhaps, philosophical theological, natural , biological, spiritual, cultural, astrological and religious, devine perfection..

[@uncommonsense7399]

What about Jesus actually birthdate ? He wasn’t born on commercialism day lol

[@Patristix]

We talk a little bit about the date here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oISrhYChpZdgqa8 But there's more to be said including about how in the Early Church most did believe that His actual birthdate was 25th of December. Some have since made calculations regarding the Bible's mentioning Zachariah 'serving in the division of Abijah' to arrive at a late December birth of Jesus.

[@arimathean4128]

The near-unanimous opinion of ancient Christian writers was that Christ was born in the year 2/1 BC. (Ancient years do not coincide exactly with our year, since not everyone started the year on January 1. So, the year in question might have been, say, September 1, 2 BC, to August 31, 1 BC.) When Dionysius Exiguus, in the 5th century, did the research that led to our BC/AD calendar, he was apparently off by one year (which is still pretty close). Patristix has a video on Dionysius here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIOtZHqVf7almqs

[@atlasdm]

If it was only Christmas trees there wouldn't be a problem, but there are so many other traditions that come from outright pagan origins, and we're commanded not to worship in the manner of the pagans. I have no problem celebrating the birth of Jesus (I think we have the wrong date, but nbd). I think the true problem is the focus on SC and the mythology around him. As Christians we shouldn't be partaking in that tradition. We should be focusing solely on Our Lord Jesus Christ.

[@Patristix]

Here are our episodes on the real Santa Claus: 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJOVd6h4g7ihr8ksi=1KIY1-c_Z9nbXCAY 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5TPgqhsobh6b7Msi=vvNkLAX_K8TVvJKI There are no Christmas traditions known to have outright pagan origins. Most have origins in Christianity, some started out as folk traditions only in the last couple hundred years. Almost everything we celebrate at Christmas today is actually REMARKABLY recent. But your last sentence is very true! We should be focusing on Jesus Christ! ❤

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:55 🎄 *The Christmas tree is not pagan; it has distinct Christian origins.* 01:23 🌲 *Pagan sacred trees, like the Norse Yggdrisil, were different from the fir tree.* 02:40 🌳 *Christianity adopted the fir tree for its own symbolism, distinct from pagan practices.* 03:36 🔺 *Saint Boniface chopping down a sacred oak led to the fir tree becoming a Christian symbol.* 04:55 🕯️ *The tradition of decorating Christmas trees, including lights, has roots in post-Reformation Germany.* 05:55 ✝️ *The Christmas tree is not a pagan symbol; it symbolizes the Holy Trinity, God, and the eternity of the Christian faith.*

[@laurendamasoruiz]

Even if the Christmas tree was a pagan tradition I would say, so what? It’s our tree now! In the words of Richard Rohlin, “we’re going to make Shark Week a Christian holiday” too. So watch out world! ☦️💜🌏

[@lisaonthemargins]

NICE

[@Richie_roo]

First

[@notaverygoodguitarplayer]

Great video, i agree with @sanguiniusse434, and i live the video makeup--illustrations and animations. What program do you use?? Thanks for teaching truth.