The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301-B, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 4."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

Do you think the Christmas tree comes from Jeremiah 10:3-5?

Answer

That is interesting. Look at Jeremiah 10—and, you know, this again is an illustration, I think, of something that we have to be so careful of. Another question that came in was this: “Do you think that Santa is merely changing the letters of Satan, to make Santa?” Of course not! No more than Santa Barbara or Santa Monica! That just means “saint,” that’s all; that’s from the word “hagios,” which is “holy”! It has nothing to do with inverting Satan around.

But here’s another one. Jeremiah 10:3: “For the customs of the peoples are vain, for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the ax; they deck it with silver and gold, fasten it with nails and hammers, that it move not.” Now that sounds exactly like you putting your Christmas tree up! “They are upright like the palm tree, but speak not.” Now wait a minute! Nobody ever thought they were supposed to speak. “And they must be carried because they can’t go of their own.” Well, nobody ever thought that a tree would walk either. “Don’t be afraid of them for they can’t do evil; neither also is it in them to do good.” Well, no one expected that either; there’s no morality to a Christmas tree.

Folks, the point is this is not talking about a Christmas tree. You say, “Well, what is it talking about?” The word “tree” should be translated “wood.” They carve an idol out of wood. That’s the point of the passage. The vain customs of the heathen—what do they do? They cut down a wood and they carve it into an idol and they deck it with silver and gold and they fasten it and make it stand up, but you know what? You have to carry it because it can’t walk; you don’t need to be afraid of it because it can’t do anything anyway; and it can’t say a word. What a stupid thing to worship! That’s the point of the passage. Nothing to do with a Christmas tree. No, the Christmas tree did not come from Jeremiah 10:3-5.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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