Are Christmas Trees in the Bible?

Are Christmas trees in the Bible? Even though most people believe Christmas is "in the Bible," most of its traditions and customs do not come from Scripture. You probably don't need me to tell you that stockings full of gifts, Santa Claus, candlelit services, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, hanging mistletoe, and eggnog are not found anywhere in Scripture. But one popular Christmas tradition is found in the Bible.

Do you know what it is? The Christmas tree.

Now, it's not explicitly called that. The word 'Christmas' is never used in any book of the Bible - Old or New Testament. Many believers will be surprised to learn that Scripture never tells us to celebrate Christmas or even the birth of Jesus. But Jeremiah 10 does describe something familiar to all Christmas celebrations. The description sounds a lot like the brightly decorated evergreen trees that many Christians place in their homes in December.

Where are Christmas trees in the Bible?

We can find reference to this in the writings of Jeremiah:

Thus said YHWH, "Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are awed by them. For the laws of these peoples are worthless, for one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They beautify it with silver and gold, they strengthen it with nails and hammers so it doesn't topple." -Jeremiah 10:2-4

They cut a tree...they decorate it...and they secure it so it doesn't fall over. Doesn't that sound very much like a traditional Christmas tree to you?

We should note that Jeremiah is quoting the Living God himself here. These are YHWH's words, and they start with, "Do not."

Why does the Bible say not to cut trees down and bring them into our homes? Are Christmas trees bad?

In Scripture trees are often connected to worship of other gods. Deuteronomy 16:21 says that no kind of tree is to be planted beside the altar of YHWH. Jeremiah 3:9 says that the house of Israel committed adultery "with stones and trees." Several passages of Scripture warn of idols made of trees. And a common phrase connected with idolatry throughout the Bible is that it occurred under "every green tree." And then of course the original sin of Adam and Eve in the garden had to do with them refusing to honor instructions related to a tree.

Yes, trees were made by the Creator and have many positive references in the Bible. And no, I certainly don't think that all trees are bad somehow. But the connection between trees and sin and idolatry gives me pause, especially when there is the verse in Jeremiah that strongly correlates to the Christmas trees we see in so many churches and households.

Now many people will tell you that the tree in Jeremiah 10 is not a Christmas tree. They believe it's fine to cut a tree down and decorate it since they aren't worshiping that. But this passage of Scripture says not to learn this way because it is "worthless." What does it mean if we are taking Luke 2 (the story of the Messiah's birth) and mixing it with something the Living God calls worthless? Is that watering down the message of the Gospel? Is that confusing people who read the Bible and see how it contradicts with popular Christian theology and lifestyles? 

Scripture tells us in the golden calf story that the people involved meant that as a way to worship YHWH (Exodus 32:5), but YHWH himself still called the calf an idol in Exodus 32:8. Even if he hadn't done so, I think most of us would still refrain putting any sort of golden calf or cow statues in our home - even if we didn't intend to worship it. In the same way, it makes sense for believers to honor this Biblical admonish "not to learn" the way of those who cut a tree down and take it inside and decorate it.

Related posts:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
The Christmas Question Documentary Interview with Kayte Abaffy
Why I Stopped Celebrating Christmas

Syncretism - What the Bible Says about Mixing Beliefs

Today we are going to be talking about syncretism. Do you know what this is? Syncretism is defined as: 

-the amalgamation, or the attempted amalgamation, of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought
-the combination of different forms of belief or practice
-incorporating pagan customs into the faith of the Bible

Just reading the definition of the word may be like flipping on a light switch for you. For most of my life it had never really crossed my mind that faith practices or beliefs could be combined, never mind that my own beliefs might be mixed with ideas not found in Scripture. Syncretism is mixing the word of YHWH with anything besides it. This is a big problem for us because while YHWH gives life, nothing else can.

What does Scripture say about mixing beliefs?

"You are not to worship YHWH in the way those nations worship their gods." -Deuteronomy 12:4

"Do not learn the ways of the nations." -Jeremiah 10:2

"When you pray, don't do so like the foreigners." -Matthew 6:7


These passages show that YHWH doesn't want us picking up ideas, customs, traditions, or beliefs from anyone besides himself. No matter how popular or 'nice' the practice may be, if it is not found in Scripture we are told not to take part. Unfortunately most sects of faith claiming to be based on Scripture have mixed in many customs and practices of foreign origin. (Please note that 'foreign' is used to denote things foreign from Scripture, not your nationality or traditions.) Examples of this would be mixing the ancient and ungodly customs of Christmas with the Biblical story of the birth of the Messiah. Or moving Sabbath worship and rest from the seventh day of the week to the first. Or using an image or statue as part of a worship service. Indeed there are a host of ideas not found in Scripture being welcomed into the Christian church today. We are expressly told not to combine YHWH's instructions on how to live with customs from other cultures. This mixing has lead many people away from the truth.

Mixing worship of the Living God with things he said not to do is syncretism and it is wrong. We are not allowed to worship however we please (see for example, the trouble the Israelites got themselves into with the golden calf incident), and that still applies to us today. The Messiah taught this with his words in Matthew telling us not to pray in the customs of other religions. It is important that we take these instructions seriously, and honestly evaluate our habits, beliefs, and practices in the light of Scripture. Are my beliefs consistent with what Scripture says? Do my daily life choices - from how I treat others, to what I eat, to what holidays I celebrate - reflect how Scripture says I should be living? Or does my lifestyle have more in common with the culture around me? Am I intentionally living in a way that honors YHWH's word? These are hard questions, but they are worth asking so that we can make the changes we need to. We are to be completely obedient to following his ways. In John 14:15 the Messiah tells us that if we love him we will keep his commands. Not his commands mixed with the ways of the nations.