I shared the photo with this added comment:
I must point out that German Christians brought decorated evergreen trees into their homes to celebrate Christmas in the 16th century. However, this practice has its roots in the Pagan custom of bringing evergreen trees and branches into their homes to celebrate the Winter Solstice and the promise of Spring yet to come. They had been doing this for many hundreds of years before the Germans. It's no surprise that so many cultures and religions celebrate this time of year. All of these celebrations are about peace and togetherness and feasting and love and hope and all are equally valid. It's not a competition! The Solstice belongs to us all.
I can't quote chapter and verse, but there are apparently a couple of lines in the bible that EXPLICITLY state NOT to bring trees that have been chopped down into your home, and decorate them with silver and gold, because that is what the pagans do.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to go down the internet rabbit hole to see if this is a real thing, or if I came up with this in a fever dream. I'll let you know if I find anything.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+10%3A2-4&version=KJV
ReplyDeleteJeremiah 10:2-4King James Version (KJV)
2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
I was kind of excited over the possibility that evil tree decorating was a product of your fever dreams. :-)
ReplyDelete