Part 1 — Does Jeremiah 10 Condemn Christmas Trees?

𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭 — 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗝𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗔𝗛 𝟭𝟬 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦?

One of the most troubling errors in Hebrew Roots is the practice of taking a passage of Scripture out of context, building a prohibition around it, and then condemning Christians who don't accept that interpretation. Jeremiah 10 has been used this way for years. Families have been accused of practicing idolatry because they put up a Christmas tree. Friendships have suffered. Parents have frightened their children into believing that something they enjoyed was an offense against God. Some believers have become afraid to question the teaching.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘆?

Jer. 10:3–4 describes someone cutting wood from the forest, working it with tools, decorating it with silver and gold, and fastening it with nails.

That sounds like a Christmas tree to some people.

Herbert W. Armstrong taught this interpretation in his 1974 booklet, *The Plain Truth About Christmas*, under the heading “What the Bible Says About the Christmas Tree.”

But keep reading.

Jer. 10:5 says the objects cannot speak, cannot walk, and must be carried. Why would Jeremiah emphasize those things?

Because he's describing idols.

Verses 6–10 contrast these powerless objects with the living God. Verse 14 speaks of the shame of the craftsman and his molded image. Verse 15 calls them worthless works.

The subject throughout the passage is idolatry.

Isa. 44:9–20 describes the same foolishness. A man cuts wood, burns part of it for cooking, and makes an idol from the remainder. Then he bows before it.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲?

Ordinarily, no. They aren't carving a god, praying to it, or expecting it to answer.

That doesn't settle every question about Christmas. There are legitimate historical and theological questions about the holiday. Christians should be willing to examine them.

But Jer. 10 doesn't establish that decorating a Christmas tree is idolatry.

Deut. 4:2 warns us against adding to God's commandments. We should be particularly careful when our interpretation becomes a rule used to condemn other believers.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗗𝗢 𝗪𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥?

Read the entire passage. Examine the historical setting. Ask whether the text actually supports what you've been taught. And when you discover an error, acknowledge it. If you've accused someone unfairly, tell them so.

You can love Torah, honor Shabbat, and celebrate the biblical feasts without condemning Christians over a Christmas tree.

There's still much good that Hebrew Roots believers can contribute. Their desire to take Scripture seriously is worth preserving. That same commitment should make them willing to correct mistaken teachings.

B"H!

𝗟𝗬𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗦

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𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦

• Jer. 10:1–16; Isa. 44:9–20; Deut. 4:2.

• Herbert W. Armstrong, *The Plain Truth About Christmas* (1974), “What the Bible Says About the Christmas Tree.”

https://www.sabbath.org/.../plain-truth-about-christmas.htm