In the Bible we find no mention of the Christmas tree. Therefore, the tree or pine with which many families decorate their homes during the Christmas season has no biblical significance. The Bible does not prohibit us from putting up a Christmas tree or pine and we are free to choose whether to put one in our house or not.
As with all our decisions, we must go in prayer before God and act in obedience to what we feel we must do. However, we must be clear that there is no biblical basis that commands or forbids us to decorate the house during Christmas.
What verses seem to forbid it?
There are some verses in the Bible that seem to indicate that it is wrong to decorate the house with wooden objects, but in reality they speak of idolatry. For example, Jeremiah 10:1-5 and Isaiah 44:14-15 specifically forbid the use of wood to carve idols. They emphasize how absurd and useless it is to make or adorn wooden idols for worship. That was done by the pagan nations and the Jewish people began to imitate them.
He cuts down the cedars, and chooses a cypress or an oak, and lets it grow among the trees of the forest; or plant a pine, which the rain makes grow. To the man it serves as fuel, and he takes a part to warm himself; light a fire and bake bread. But he also carves out a god and worships him; he makes an idol and prostrates himself before it.
(Isaiah 44:14-15)
The Bible prohibits all kinds of idolatry, be it the worship of people or objects made of wood or any material. We should only worship God, our Lord and Savior. As long as Christmas decorations serve to remember and celebrate that Jesus came into the world and not to adore those objects themselves, there is no problem decorating our house.
Origin of the Christmas pine
Throughout history, many cultures have used trees and leaves to express their customs and traditions. For example, for many centuries the Germans and Scandinavians have placed pine trees and decorations with natural leaves in their homes during the winter as a symbol that spring will return and that winter is not eternal.
There are theories about pagan cultures using trees to represent their gods, for example the god of fertility. However, the story of the Christmas tree is thought to have originated with Boniface, an English missionary who went to evangelize Germany between 680 and 754.
It is said that he cut down the oak tree where they sacrificed to Odin (a Celtic god) and replaced it with a fir tree, a tree that remains green throughout the year. He adorned it and put it as a symbol of the eternal love of God, thus giving it a new meaning.
Others say that the origin is in Martin Luther, since he promoted decorating trees with fruits that represented the tree of paradise, and with candles or lights representing Jesus, the light of the world. The custom took root in Germany and from there spread first to the Scandinavian countries and then to the rest of Europe.
What really matters is the reason why we put up the Christmas tree, the meaning it has for us. It should be a decoration that reflects our joy in celebrating the birth of Jesus. We can also use it to tell others about him, why he came to earth, and why he died on the cross.
This is how God manifested his love among us: in that he sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through him.
(1 John 4:9)
Other Christmas decorations
There are various decorations that we can use in our homes to communicate the true meaning of Christmas. This season presents us with a great opportunity to share about God’s love and there are a few decorations that can help us talk about the value of the birth of Jesus.
The nativity scene, manger or birth
It is a representation of the story of the birth of Jesus with the use of figurines. It serves as a reminder of the humble birth of Jesus. It can include various scenes: the birth, the visit of the shepherds, the singing and adoration of the angels, the visit of the wise men from the East, etc. In some countries the living representation (with people) is made during the Christmas week.
Read the biblical account of the birth of Jesus
Verses about the birth of Jesus
The star
It is tradition to place a star on the highest branch of the tree. It represents the bright star that guided the wise men or magicians from the East to the place where the baby Jesus was (Matthew 2:1-12).
lights and candles
Lights and candles are used to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). He came to light our way, to bring us closer and reconcile us with God.
The Angels
The angels represent the angel who announced to Mary, and later to Joseph, the conception of Jesus and the importance of his birth (Matthew 1). There were also the angels who announced to the shepherds that Jesus was born and the multitude of angels who praised God and exclaimed “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2).
Advent wreath or garland
It is used in some Latin American countries and in Spain to announce the coming of Jesus and includes various symbols. For example, its circular shape speaks of God’s love that never ends, the green branches reflect the new life we have in it and the candles show the triumph of light over darkness.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”
(Isaiah 9:2).
These are some of the decorations that we can use. But let’s not forget that the most important thing is not the decoration but that we celebrate Jesus. Let us live lives that celebrate his love and glorify him at Christmas and throughout the year.
Read more about the origin and meaning of Christmas.
19 biblical Christmas messages with images
Look at these Bible verses about Christmas