The Christmas tree, a symbol of the holiday season, has its roots in pagan traditions dating back to European pagans who decorated their homes with evergreen fir branches to bring color and light into their dull winters. However, even the most innocuous holiday decorations can be witchy and pagan in origin. The cutting of the tree signifies the transformation of the tree into a decorated Christmas tree, symbolizing the power of the tree to bring light and color.
Modern Christmas trees emerged in western Germany during the 16th century, as Christians brought trees into their homes and decorated them with gingerbread, nuts, and apples. The connection between the holly (male) and ivy (female) at Christmas dates back to the idea of burning them together at the pagan festival of Beltane.
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year round had a special meaning for people. In many countries, it was believed that plants that remained green during winter protected against evil witches, spirits, and diseases. The decorating of the Christmas tree was taken from pagans and considered as magic ritual and witchcraft. Many modern witches decorate their trees in theme with more explicitly witchy ways, such as having a black Christmas tree.
In many countries, it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees in various ways, including the salem witch trials and the Great Irish Potato Famine.
📹 Is Decorating a Christmas Tree Considered Witchcraft? If So, Can You Give Scriptures?
Does the Bible say you can’t put up a Christmas tree?
A direct reference to Christmas trees is absent from the Old Testament. Instead, the concept of the tree’s significance within the Christian faith is addressed.
What is the pagan origin of Christmas?
The origins of Christmas can be traced back to both pagan and Roman cultures. Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a two-week festival honoring their god Saturn, and Mithra, their sun god, on December 25th. These celebrations were raucous and drunken. Pagan cultures lit bonfires and candles to keep the darkness at bay during December, which the Romans incorporated into their own celebrations. As Christianity spread across Europe, the Christian clergy couldn’t control pagan customs, so they adapted the pagan ritual into a celebration of Jesus’ birthday.
Is decorating a Christmas tree a sin in the Bible?
In light of the doctrine of the Trinity, it can be argued that the concept of a supreme being, or “God,” is not applicable to the celebration of Christmas. This is because, according to the Christian faith, Jesus is the Lord and therefore has precedence over other deities. Consequently, the celebration of Christmas does not involve the worship of any other “gods.” In accordance with the doctrine that all things should be subjugated to Christ, the practice of decorating a tree is deemed permissible, as it serves to enhance the celebration of Jesus.
Is a Christmas tree a religious symbol?
The Supreme Court ruled that a Christmas tree is not a religious symbol, but rather a secular symbol of the holiday season. The court noted that many Americans place Christmas trees in their homes without subscribing to Christian beliefs, making them the preeminent secular symbol of the holiday season. However, the Court also noted that a menorah is a religious symbol commemorating the miracle of the oil, but its significance is not exclusively religious.
The Court concluded that when placed next to a Christmas tree, the overall effect of the display recognizes Christmas and Chanukah as part of the same winter holiday season, attaining secular status in society. The Ten Commandments, as ruled in Stone v. Graham, are undeniably religious in nature, embracing the duties of religious observers rather than focusing on secular matters.
What is the evil Christmas myth?
Krampus, a Christian saint, is depicted carrying chains, bells, and a bundle of birch branches to symbolize the binding of the Devil. He occasionally swats children with these branches, sometimes replacing them with a whip. On Christmas Eve, Krampus travels with a sack or basket to carry off evil children for drowning, eating, or transport to Hell. This quality is found in other Saint Nicholas companions like Zwarte Piet.
Krampus’ appearance and features, including horns, hooves, fur, a hooked nose, beard, dark hair, fangs, and a long tongue, mirror antisemitic images of Jews in historical central European art. This similarity raises questions about the implicit messages conveyed through Krampus’ portrayal. The portrayal of Krampus is characterized by Jewish physiognomy stereotypes and anti-Semitic undertones, raising questions about the implicit messages conveyed through his portrayal.
What is the superstition about Christmas decorations?
The tradition of leaving festive decorations up until Candlemas on 2 February is a modern take on the medieval tradition. In medieval England, Candlemas was the official end of Christmas, celebrated 40 days after Christmas. The date was a great feast day, as candles intended for the coming year would be blessed on that day. Candlelit processions were also held in honor of the feast. Evidence of decorations being kept up until the evening before Candlemas is well documented, with Christmas cribs remaining in many churches until Candlemas. The removal of these cribs is described in an early 17th-century poem.
What does Christmas mean spiritually?
This Christmas, we should give thanks for the love, hope, and joy found in Jesus, our Saviour and friend. We exchange gifts with loved ones out of remembrance of the gift God gave us in Jesus, which is that we are loved, never alone, and can have hope for the future. As a reminder of the gift of hope, love, and joy, we can offer up our worship and thanks to God through prayers this Christmas.
What was the original purpose of decorating a Christmas tree?
The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life has been a custom since ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in Scandinavian customs of decorating houses with evergreens at the New Year and setting up a tree for birds during Christmastime. The modern Christmas tree originated in western Germany, where a “paradise tree” was used in a medieval play about Adam and Eve.
The Germans set up a paradise tree in their homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. Wafers were hung on it, symbolizing the eucharistic host, the Christian sign of redemption. Candles, symbolic of Christ as the light of the world, were often added. The Christmas pyramid, a triangular construction of wood with shelves for Christmas figurines, was also decorated with evergreens, candles, and a star.
The custom was widespread among German Lutherans by the 18th century, but it wasn’t until the following century that the Christmas tree became a deep-rooted German tradition. Introduced into England in the early 19th century, the Victorian tree was popularized in the mid-19th century by German-born Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Christmas trees were also popular in Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the Netherlands. In China and Japan, Christmas trees were decorated with intricate paper designs introduced by Western missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
What does the Bible say about decorating Christmas trees?
The Holy Bible does not prohibit the decoration of trees, provided that such decorations are not worshipped or used as vessels or floral arrangements. Nevertheless, if one’s primary object of worship is God and one’s sole devotion is to Jesus Christ, such practices are deemed permissible.
What does decorating the Christmas tree symbolize?
The Christmas tree, regardless of its provenance, has come to symbolize a number of aspects of the holiday season. These include the spirit of giving and receiving gifts, the embrace of the holiday season, and the concept of eternal life.
What is the spiritual meaning of the Christmas tree?
In Christianity, the Christmas tree symbolizes Jesus Christ’s birth and resurrection, with its branches and bushes representing immortality. Each ornament on the tree has a special meaning, representing spiritual qualities like peace, love, kindness, joy, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. Christians place great emphasis on decorating the tree, as it provides a memorable experience for the entire family.
Each year, members gather to adorn the tree with various ornaments and make wishes for a healthy and joyful life. A shining star is commonly used as a tree topper, as it is believed to have led wise men to Jesus in Bethlehem. Angels are also used as tree toppers, as they announced Christ’s birth.
📹 A Pagan Christmas || How to Celebrate the Witch’s way
Christmas is a true pagan event and that is why I have titled the video a Pagan Christmas so that you all are in no confusion as to …
In Denmark we walk around the Christmas tree (with real candle), holding hands while we sing the old Christmas songs, before opening the present in the evening of the 24. of December. As a child me and my brothers got one of our present in the morning of the 24. December, because the many hours till 8-9 pm was torture. Have a nice holiday and a merry Christmas 🌲❄️⭐️
In Poland it is the Christmas Eve when most of the magic happens. It is so amusing to me that all these traditions are so pagan and yet people don’t realise it. For example we put hay under the tablecloth during Christmas Eve dinner and most people would say it is because of little Jesus layed on hay after birth but hello, it was old prosperity and divination purpose. Also traditional twelve dishes that was supposed to be served that evening were a kind of good charm for the next twelve months. There are a lot of another beliefs that are much older than christian traditions.
I celebrate the dusting of snow ❄️ in the quiet desolate park, the frozen ice puddles, the smell of pine, and nothing else that has to do with Christianity or traditional Christmas holidays I can’t accept how people act during this time of year, the selfishness, the fact that so many animals and people don’t have enough to eat and people care only about presents also cutting trees and discarding them, no Ill just enjoy mother nature and how beautiful her creations are this time of year.🌲❄️🏔️🌡️🌨️
Wonderful article! Fascinating information about the true orgins of Christmas. I heard a long time ago that bringing a Christmas tree inside meant you were giving the Faye a chance to keep warm and help protect your home in the winter months. I wonder if its true. What do you think? Blessing and Lovd and Light to You❣️
I have always been Pagan. During Christmas Eve Candlelight service it was the light from the candles that thrilled me as a child. I always would have my own tree in my room…at the Tree Yard when I was young the five foot trees were only 1.00!! The Pagan beliefs, when I finally studied them, seemed as if I knew them all of my life.
Great article, thank you so much! 🥰 I grew up in Germany and we celebrate St. Nikolaus (who was turned into Santa Clause) Day on December 6. Children put their shoes in front of the door on the evening of December 5th and hope for little treats the next morning. There was no Santa back then for Christmas, it was the Christ Child who brought the presents on Christmas Eve. Which is really what Christ Mass is about – to go within and be Present with the Christed Light, God Spark, Source Spark …. whatever resonates. The Church took over this Peagan celebration. Jeshua was not born in December 😉 Happy Winter Solstice (Birth of the Sun) 💖🙏🏻💖 Much Love and Yuletide Blessings
In Sweden there is the Lucia Tradition on the 13th of december (wich was originally the date of the winter solstice in the julian calendar before the reform to the gregorian one). The Lucia visits the villages with a crown of candles on her head and brings the light (she is greeted in the morning when the sun rises with a choir). It is kind of mashed up with a christian saint, but lots of its elements are pagan and a solstice celebration.:) The tradition is so popular that it is now also slowly migrating to other countries, like Germany.
Where does the idea that Father Christmas is the ‘Anglo-Saxon Old Man Winter’ come from? The earliest English reference to Christmas personified is in a carol attributed to Rector Richard Smart (1435 -1477) – a sung dialogue between someone representing ‘Sir Christmas’ and a group welcoming him. During Tuder and Stuart times there was ‘Captain Christmas’, ‘The Christmas Lord’, and ‘Prince Christmas’ who presided over aristocratic feasts. By the later 1600’s ‘Father Christmas’ is acting as the presenter in mumming plays. ‘Old Man Winter’ smacks of being a modern neo-pagan creation – certainly not Anglo-Saxon and no such character appears in English folklore.
The Druid mistletoe story and the presenter’s description of the Druids using it for decoration is dubious to put it mildly – we know next to nothing about Druidic rituals. And although evergreens as Christmas decorations are well attested from medieval times the earliest reference to the use of mistletoe is only in 1648 – there is no unbroken link back to the Druids. Kissing under the mistletoe is a purely English custom that developed from the 18th century ‘kissing bough’ – once again not Druidic nor Celtic in origin.
There is Heaven & Hell. Nobody should have any SYMBOL of idolatry in their house on any day of the year including occult high days such as the Winter Solstice. Sadly, people unwittingly imitate heathen tree worship which is condemned by God. Fixing the tree in place then adding silver & gold then bowing down to it as you put gifts under the tree and then telling others to bow down to the tree as they collect gifts. The similarities are striking to say the least, yet people continue to ignore the Bible which tells us to ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL – any SYMBOL of idolatry no matter what it is must not be in your house on any day of the year!!