Does Jeremiah 10 Say Having a Christmas Tree is a Sin?

You can read a condensed version of this post here.

Childlike Wonder

O, Christmas Tree

The Christmas tradition that captivated me the most as a child was the Christmas trees put up in our house and my grandmothers’ homes. Each tree was different in style and theme but equally wonderful. The lights, tinsel, toppers, ornaments, and more aroused a sense of awe, wonder, warmth, and peace as I admired each tree carefully and thoughtfully decorated.

O, Why a Christmas Tree?

I never knew why we put trees up at Christmastime. I don’t remember any intentional or annual talks about how they pointed us to Jesus and His birth. As I have gotten older, I have been exposed to the idea that putting up a tree in my home (and even allowing it in the church I pastor) is an act of idolatry and syncretism. Throughout the generations, Christianity has become paganized by adding things used by non-believers to worship false gods, the Christmas tree being one of many examples. Those who have brought this to my attention, I believe, mean well. Still, they misunderstand the passage cited to support their view against Christians celebrating the holiday with a decorated evergreen.

Jeremiah 10:3-4

Jeremiah 10:3-4 is often cited in discussions about Christians avoiding the tradition of decorating Christmas trees because it is a way of the nations God’s people are not to follow (Jeremiah 10:1). At first glance, it does seem to condemn the practice, stating that the customs of pagan nations are vanity (useless or empty). The passage describes a tree cut from the forest and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman, then decorated with silver and gold and fastened with a hammer and nails so it cannot move.

Admittedly, it seems as if the prophet had a seat in my mammaw’s living room in the 80’s and early 90’s with the silver tinsle that adorned her plastic evergreen. But is this passage explicitly condemning the Christmas tradition of decorating a tree in your home? Let’s delve into the scriptures to understand what God’s word is saying.

Context is Key: Man-made gods Verses the God Who made Men

Why Context is Important & the Context of Jeremiah 10

When we take a verse or two out of context, we do not handle the Word of God rightly or responsibly and miss out on God’s meaning for the original audience and us today. Starting in Jeremiah 10:2, the Lord speaks to the house of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah, warning them not to learn the ways of the nations.

When did Jeremiah prophesy?

Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Judah for about 40 years, from around 626 – 586 BC. Commentators generally agree that we cannot be sure when the messages of chapters eight through ten were given, whether before the initial siege and deportation of the first exiles to Babylon in 605 BC or sometime after the initial attack and before the final siege and deportation in 586 BC. Whether before the first Babylonian attack on Jerusalem or after, we know that the contents of chapter ten are given as some of the Judeans were already in or would be going to Babylon for exile.

Since His people were prone to chase after false gods, after idols in their land (idolatry was the reason judgment was coming at the hands of the Babylonians in the first place), He warned His people once again of the worthlessness of lifeless man-made gods, also known as idols before they found themselves an idol infested nation. Out of His jealous love for His people, the LORD once again, through the prophet Jeremiah, emphasized that He had no rival (Jeremiah 10:6-7) and He, as the One True God, was the only One in Whom they could find help (Jeremiah 10:14-16).

With some exploration, we know that God is speaking to His people, the people of Israel, through Jeremiah sometime around 605 and 586 BC; Christmas trees didn’t appear till the 16th century AD. What did God say to His covenant people here in Jeremiah 10 around this point in the historical timeline?

Practices Judah was not to adopt as its own

The LORD tells His people not to act like other nations. In other words, do not copy the customs of the people of Babylon (Romans 12:1). What practices are they not to mirror? If we continue to the following line, we see what Israel should not incorporate into their lives. Yahweh’s covenant people were not to practice astrology (Jeremiah 10:2), a practice the Babylonians excelled in. God’s people were not and are not to look to the stars to determine their future but to the One who made the stars and knows the future so they can remain faithful and at peace in the present.

The passage emphasizes not being dismayed by the signs of the heavens (NLT, who try to read their futures in the stars), which refers to a kind of fear or awe that the pagan nations had toward celestial phenomena. “The signs of heaven” included celestial phenomena such as the sun, the moon, the five visible planets, zodiac signs, and other constellations. In these pagan systems, the deities associated with the sun, moon, and planets—particularly Venus (Ishtar/Astarte)—held significant power and exerted strong influence, tempting the people of Judah (Ezekiel 8:16).

These deities terrified ancient people because their actions were seen as unpredictable, arbitrary, and sometimes vindictive. Furthermore, rare or irregular celestial events—such as eclipses, comets, or planetary alignments—often “terrified” or “dismayed” them. Because such phenomena were uncommon and not understood as predictable, they became sources of fear and unease (Jeremiah 10:2). This context is crucial for understanding the passage.

What tree-cutting custom does Jeremiah warn against?

With the historical context in mind, God’s people were not to adopt any of Babylon’s ways as their own. So what about the custom of cutting down a tree? What is Jeremiah warning the people to make a way of life? The custom described involves cutting down a tree and crafting it into something with an axe or chisel, then decorating it with silver and gold (Jeremiah 10:3-4; See also Isaiah 40:18-20; 41:17; 44:9-20). This is not merely about bringing a tree into one’s home but creating an idol. The nations are dismayed by the signs of the heavens, and their customs reflect a misplaced reverence and fear.

Idolatry, Not Decoration

The passage does not condemn decorating a tree per se but rather the idolatrous practices associated with cutting down a tree. The emphasis is on the futility of idols, which are likened to scarecrows in a cucumber field—unable to speak, move, or do anything – especially help the Jewish people (Jeremiah 10:5). The passage highlights the contrast between these lifeless idols and the living God, Who is the actual creator and king of the nations (Jeremiah 10:6-16). The prophet spends his energy in verses 6-16 showing that the men-made gods are absolutely nothing to the God who made men and everything else.

It is interesting and important that Jeremiah finishes this chapter with a focus on God’s coming judgment on His people through the Babylonians. This portion of the chapter is interesting because chapters eight and nine also contain such sections (Jeremiah 8:13-17; Jeremiah 9:7-26). These judgment portions of the chapters link the three together as a section in the book. All three chapters describe the nation’s sins and how their sinfulness doesn’t reflect the true character of Yahweh to the nations.

As Jeremiah weeps for his people in chapter eight, the prophet states that Judah has provoked the LORD’s anger with their carved idols and foreign gods (Jeremiah 8:19). Within the context of chapter ten, chapters eight through ten, and biblical and historical context as a whole, the LORD through Jeremiah warns His people not to continue in or expand their idol worship while in Babylon nor adopt other practices like astrology.

Conclusion and Application for Today

Jeremiah 10:3-4 is not a blanket condemnation of Christmas trees but a warning against idolatry, just as it was for Judah during Jeremiah’s time. The focus should be on the heart and intention behind our actions. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s ensure our practices reflect our faith and reverence for the true and living God.

The heart of the issue is not the physical act of cutting down, carving (for those who carve items out of wood), or decorating a tree but the intention behind it. God condemns making an idol and worshiping it, not decorating a tree. Therefore, bringing a tree into your home and decorating it for Christmas is not inherently idolatrous unless done with a heart of rebellion against God, an object of worship itself, or as an act of worship of a false god.

As Christians, we have the freedom to engage in cultural practices like decorating a Christmas tree, provided our hearts are aligned with God. It’s essential to be discerning and ensure that our actions honor and glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Just because pagans may have used trees and many other things in creation for idolatrous purposes does not mean that the practice itself is condemned. As a disciple, husband, father, and pastor, I do not want to lead others away from Jesus. Instead, I want to redeem anything that was part of our Creator’s good creation (Genesis 1:31) and use it to point others to Him (Romans 1:20).

Ideas for using the Christmas tree to point to Jesus

• Decorate your tree with ornaments of the life and work of Jesus. Buy or make decorations related to the Christmas story, Jesus’ miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, and return.
• Refer to our post, How your Christmas tree can point to Jesus this Christmas season.

Questions to Consider

• What emotions or memories does decorating a Christmas tree evoke for you?
• Does putting up a Christmas tree add to the stress and busyness of the season, or does it enhance my worship for the reason for the season: God becoming human and making His home among us?
• How has your understanding of Christmas traditions, such as the tree, changed over time?
• Have you ever questioned the biblical basis of Christmas traditions? If so, what led you to do so?
• Using Jeremiah 10, what do you think is the difference between cultural traditions and idolatry?
• Have you encountered differing opinions on Christmas traditions within your faith community? How have you navigated those discussions?

Please leave your thoughts and comments below!