Here come the Christmas tree posts…
The name-calling.
The religiosity.
The holier than thou.
The 9 feet of pride taller than a scotch pine, blue spruce, or balsam fur.
Here it comes brothers and sisters….all in the name of Jesus.
Here comes the blood bath over non-salvation issues.
Here we go….pushing away the non-believer, and those new to the faith.
All over a tree.
A Christmas tree.
I mean….who has really turned the tree into an idol here?
The one who has it, or the one who is hyper-fixated against it??
Do you know what God says He hates in scripture?
Not a tree.
Not a Christmas tree.
Not Christmas cards.
Not buying gifts for underprivileged children.
Not bringing your neighbor a plate of cookies.
Not family time looking at Christmas lights.
Not stockings, garland, or Christmas songs.
GOD HATES DIVISION AMONGST HIS PEOPLE.
He makes THAT crystal clear.
Luke 11:17
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.”
1 Corinthians 3:3
For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
Romans 16:17
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
We’re not – I REPEAT, NOT anyone’s Holy Spirit!!
Allow others to grow in conviction under the guidance of HOLY SPIRIT, not your command.
And for the love of the gospel STOP taking this verse out of context.
Jeremiah 10:3-4
For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.
This is about STATUES and carving idols. Not CHRISTMAS TREES. Be careful not to make what YOU HATE into an idol brothers and sisters.
THAT is a very real thing.
DIVISION IS MENTIONED 68 TIMES IN SCRIPTURE.
CHRISTMAS TREES —0
Be careful not to enter into God’s festivals and feast days PUFFED UP IN PRIDE.
In addition to our tree and menorah, my family has a birthday cake for Jesus.
“BUT ITS NOT HIS REAL BIRTHDAY!!!”
Celebrating birthdays also isn’t seen in the Bible….but do I think they are displeasing to the Lord?
No.
I think people acting under the guidance of man-made religion is.
I don’t worship Jesus as man.
I don’t worship Jesus as a Jewish man.
I worship Jesus AS THE ONE, TRUE, LIVING, GOD.
Jesus is bigger than Christmas.
Jesus is bigger than Hanukkah.
Jesus is bigger than a tree, a manger, or a menorah.
HE IS THE ETERNAL GOD.
If Jesus left the 99 for 1.
Don’t you believe He is also willing to meet a lost person in front of a Christmas tree?
It’s about RECONCILIATION.
Period.
I pray we all understand the heart of God, and we put our pride on the altar.
Here is my post on Christmas Trees from 2021 and YES, I will have both a tree and a menorah in my home for this season as well.
To tree or not to tree – that is the question:
My first year as a new believer I celebrated all things new about baby Jesus. I had a tree but it was just a pretty place to put the kid’s presents. I burst the bubble on the Santa lie and we kept the holiday holy.
The second year I started to learn about The Festival of Lights and we celebrated both. It was so beautiful to find Hanukah in scripture. We didn’t try to be perfect, just pleasing to the Lord.
The next year I was knee-deep in religion. NO TREE. NO TREE UP IN HERE! I was holier than all you pagan tree worshippers. We had our menorah ONLY and did our nightly prayers to perfection….or so I thought. I don’t speak Hebrew so most likely it was a hot mess.
Then covid hits. My children always have a tree at their dad’s house. They couldn’t see their dad for Christmas due to him having a double lung transplant. They hadn’t seen him in 6 months. They asked for a tree. My oldest son specifically – who never asks for anything- said he would like a tree…the son who will only live under my roof for another 2 years. What to do?
So….I took it before the Lord.
Jesus reminded me how Paul was all things to all men.
He reminded me that He isn’t a holiday.
He reminded me that love looks like many things and takes many forms.
So….I took the day off from work. My son and I went out and picked out a tree and spent the day together decorating it and having quality time. It was one of my favorite days and I know my Father’s voice. He was pleased at the labor of love.
Here’s where I sit this year, and I’m only sharing because I’m thinking out loud….I’m not asking for anyone’s input. I’ve sat at Abba’s feet. I recommend we all do instead of trying to be someone else’s Holy Spirit.
2021, to tree or not to tree?
I will have both.
Both the tree and the menorah.
I will bring back the awe and wonder that I had as a new believer.
We will celebrate all the things baby Jesus, and what His birth meant to the world.
And yes, I know Jesus wasn’t born on Dec 25th.
And no- I don’t think He cares that we celebrate this day as ALL DAYS ARE HIS.
We will also have our menorah.
We will do our best, and bring our train wreck of Hebrew prayers before the Lord. We will trust He is looking on our hearts and not our words.
We will come to Him like a child.
I want to give some of you comfort about the following verses.
Jeremiah 10:1-5
“Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree, and they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good.”
This passage has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas trees.
NADA.
Christmas trees were introduced in 1605.
This passage was written in 300 BC.
God is discussing IDOLS.
Golden statues.
Carved images that were worshipped ALL THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT.
What are Christian idols?
• Some have a desire for a spouse as an idol.
• Some have social media as an idol.
• Some have their bank account as an idol.
• Some have their jobs as an idol.
• Some have their children as an idol.
• Some have their MINISTRY as an idol.
• Some have health and wellness as an idol.
• Some have food as an idol.
• Some have sports as an idol.
• Some have their church as an idol.
• Some have their pastor as an idol.
• Some have self-righteousness as an idol.
Your lack of a tree doesn’t make you more holy.
Know your idol.
Jesus isn’t a holiday, a tree, a menorah, or a day of the week.
Jesus is LOVE and that is the greatest command.
Whatever you do – however you celebrate our Savior – DO IT WITH LOVE.
And eat the Christmas cookie.
To learn more about Heidi and her Kingdom passion, visit Kingdom Come Home
Featured Image by Felix from Pixabay
[…] Open the full article on the kingdomwinds.com site […]