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聖誕節在美國是許多人最期待的節日：學生放長假，商人賺大錢，舉家大團圓，小孩拿禮物，上山去滑雪，下海坐郵輪，連無家可歸的流浪漢都能透過慈善機構的募款，吃到一年一度的聖誕大餐。
我們今天很難想像沒有聖誕節的日子，但事實上，在基督教起源的頭三個世紀，聖誕節根本不存在。當時基督徒最重視的只有兩個節日：1. 一月六日的主顯節（註：或作顯現日 Epiphany，紀念耶穌降生後首次向給東方三博士顯現之日）；2. 復活節（註：紀念耶穌復活）。一直到公元三百多年，聖誕節才第一次在羅馬的曆法裡被提及。
聖誕節對基督徒而言意義非凡，因為耶穌的降生可算是基督教信仰的精髓：「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。」（約翰福音 3：16）教會一般會在聖誕節期間將會堂佈置得溫馨亮麗── 一顆挺拔翠綠的聖誕樹上懸掛著閃亮的金銀色裝飾品，繞上好幾圈閃爍的彩色燈飾，地上再鋪層雪白柔軟的棉花，最後在樹頂端擺一顆明亮的伯利恆之星。會眾在安詳的氣氛下點著蠟燭唱著“平安夜”，和諧動人的場面，溫暖人心。
聖誕樹不管是在商場、文具、用品、教會、或是家庭、都已成為一個不可缺少的擺設品與標誌，連美國白宮從1889年開始就已經有裝飾聖誕樹的悠久傳統。聖誕樹除了為節慶加添喜悅的氣氛之外，樹下擺滿的禮物盒色彩繽紛，就像童話世界裡的仙境。每年12月份在全世界各地演出的柴可夫斯基巨作──《 胡桃鉗芭蕾舞劇 》的舞台中心一定會擺設一顆巨大無比、如夢幻似的聖誕樹。劇裡，孩童們寶石般的眼珠子裡閃耀著期待的光芒，爭先恐後的打開著他們心中最想要的禮物。基督徒認為聖誕樹下的禮物不只是象徵聖經裡東方博士送給耶穌的聖誕三寶物──黃金、乳香、沒藥（馬太福音2：1-11），它也提醒世人，救恩就是上帝賜給人類最珍貴的禮物。
縱然這幅圖畫是這麼的美，聖誕樹在聖經裡卻完全沒有記載。那麼聖誕樹的起源為何呢？
其實早在公元第四世紀歐洲的異教徒就已經有裝飾長青樹的傳統了，他們如此做是為了給數九寒天、冰封千里的冬季帶來一些色彩和希望。另外，在古羅馬曆法上有一個節日叫做Saturnalia（農神節）。Saturnalia 的字根是Saturn（土星），顧名思義，古羅馬人所祭拜的 “土星之神” 就是他們的 “農業之神”。在播種季節期間，老百姓會向眾神獻祭、祈福，祈求上蒼庇佑五穀豐，類似我們所熟悉的“廟會” 或 “廟市”。神農節非常熱鬧，獻祭場會用豐收樹枝來做裝飾以代表豐收，它的活動還包括獸祭、宴會與禮物饋贈。在奧古斯都皇帝（Emperor Augustus）統治期間（公元前 63 年至公元 14 年），神農節慶祝活動只有短短的兩天，但到了公元133年左右，它已擴大延長到一週的活動，從 12 月 17 日到23日。一直到公元336年，就是羅馬皇帝君士坦丁當政時期，歷史上才第一次有12月25日慶祝聖誕節的紀錄。至於為何選擇這一天慶祝聖誕的說法不一：有人說這是農神節的延伸──豐收樹和獻祭的禮物相當於現在的聖誕樹和聖誕禮物；也有人說這來自 “波斯光之神”──密特拉（Mithra），據說他的生日是冬至，也就是12月25日。密特拉教是公元第一至第四世紀盛行於羅馬帝國的邪教。基於上述之背景，最傳統的解釋方法是：早期的教會刻意將異教節與聖誕節定於同一天，因為他們認為如此做會有助於羅馬異教徒更容易接受基督教為帝國的官方宗教。
儘管聖誕節從第四世紀起，接續在世界各地盛行了將近兩千年，還是有不少基督徒對於聖誕節背後的異教根源耿耿於懷。舉早期美國殖民時代為例，因受到清教徒強烈的影響，當年的兩位政府官員──布拉德福德（William Bradford ）和克倫威爾（Oliver Cromwell）曾一度嘗試破除聖誕節裝飾的傳統，試圖將它貼上“異教”的標籤。他們竟然在1659年的麻州州議會中通過了一項法案：公開慶祝聖誕節為非法活動，上教堂雖合法，但不準在教堂內懸掛任何裝飾，尤其是聖誕樹。違法者則視為刑事犯罪，一律罰款制裁。這個禁令雖到1681年才被廢除，但其解除並未影響到幾世紀以來堅決不妥協的保守派基督徒。至現今2000時代，這些基督徒仍然堅信裝飾聖誕樹、慶祝聖誕節等於苟同異教邪教，違背聖經的教導。他們還引用耶利米書 10：1-16 為根據：「......他們用金銀妝飾他，用釘子和錘子釘穩，使他不動搖。他好像棕樹......必須有人抬著......有銀子打成片......並有從烏法來的金子，都是匠人和銀匠的手工......各銀匠都因他雕刻的偶像羞愧。他所鑄的偶像本是虛假的，其中並無氣息......」。在這段經文裡，人把樹當成偶像來裝飾敬拜。先知耶利米警告百姓如此做會惹怒耶和華，地會大震動，人民也會因此被除滅（耶利米書10：11）。雖然基督徒從不跪拜聖誕樹，但是有些人認為“高舉”聖誕樹的行為在某種程度上相等於拜偶像。
其實有許多的傳統與節日都源自於異教風俗，譬如元旦。元旦其實是公元前 46 年凱撒大帝（Julius Caesar）制定的。他將一年的年初獻給一位名叫 Janus 的羅馬兩面門神。每年的一月一日，祭司會祭祀一頭白牛和許多食物祈求門神保佑。英文的“一月”一字──”January” 就是來自Janus 門神一字；還有，當我們參加教會神聖的婚禮時，從不會去想到漂亮的新娘所穿戴的面紗同樣可以追溯到基督教之前的古羅馬。他們認為新娘在婚禮當天特別容易受到邪靈的襲擊附身，因此面紗是用來抵禦邪靈的；再來，當我們買情人節賀卡送給親愛的人時，更不會想到如此浪漫的節日起源於羅馬異教的 “生育節”（Festival of Fertility) ，又作 Lupercalia（牧神節）。這個節慶跟我們聯想的巧克力玫瑰花截然不同，它是一個祭祀動物、男女隨機結合和鞭打婦女的野蠻節日；萬聖節就不需加以闡述了，它慶祝黑暗、火和死亡的異教根源是眾所周知的。除此之外，在基督教圈裡流傳的話也不少：一下警告大家要遠離 Pokémon（神奇寶貝或精靈寶可夢），因為小精靈的符號都是魔鬼的符號，所以玩這個遊戲等於在敬拜撒旦；一下又呼籲大家不要去抱 “捲心菜娃娃” （Cabbage Patch doll），因為這些娃娃被鬼附身的咒詛會抑制婦女分娩的過程（註：來自 “Institute for Basic Life Principles” 基督教基本生活原則研究所中心主任 Bill Gothard 主編教材）；基督徒還會相互提醒打氣功和做瑜伽有被邪靈附身的危險性。警告基督徒需避免的東西林林總總，真是層出不窮。
這個世界變遷太快了，今非昔比、日新月異，舊傳統不斷的被新傳統替代，每天都有新點子與做法。有一些基督徒卻為了「保守自己心，勝過保守一切」（箴言4：23），深恐自己會不小心跨了線，惹怒了上帝，甚至被其他信徒誤以為與異教徒 “同流合污”，因此抱頭縮項，蜷縮在一個角落，什麼都不願意做也不敢做。其實 “提防” 和 “妥協“ 很多時候只有一線之隔。為了維護自己靈命的健康，難道基督徒也應該避免新年放鞭炮，情人節送花束，結婚戴婚紗？其實不管一個人有沒有一套自己的信仰，他都有權益不隨波逐流，為所堅持的信念挺身。但當信仰變成一個籠子，更甚，當它被借用來標榜自己的對，褒貶別人的錯時，我們很可能已經不自覺的踩在一條自己設定的雙重標準界線上（註：請參閱部落格“雙重標準”），落在路加福音6：42形容的景況──無視於自己眼中的梁木，卻只想要去掉別人眼中的刺。最令人惋惜的是，這個「什麼能做，什麼不能做」的 ”隱藏規則” 變成一種基督徒的“靈性驕傲”。這些規則只有在基督徒圈內打轉，而且打轉了2000年。擺不擺設聖誕樹真的背後有屬靈意義嗎？看來，這個爭論只好留給那群在意“靈命”的基督徒自己去決定了！
Tannenbaum
Christmas in the United States is one of the most anticipated holidays for many people — students can enjoy a long break, businesses use the opportunity to make big profits, families enjoy the reunions, children receive lots of gifts; some go skiing while others take cruises, and even homeless can partake in the annual Christmas feast through charity organizations.
It's hard to imagine life without Christmas today, but in the first three centuries of Christian origin, Christmas simply did not exist. During that time, Christians celebrated only two major holidays: 1. Epiphany on January 6th. It was a day to commemorate the first appearance of Jesus to the three Magi from the East after his birth.
2. Easter. It was a day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.
It wasn't until over three hundred years into the Common Era that Christmas was first mentioned in the Roman calendar.
Christmas holds extraordinary significance for Christians because the birth of Jesus is considered the essence of Christian faith, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). During Christmas, churches are often beautifully decorated with tall, green Christmas trees adorned with shiny gold and silver ornaments, several loops of colorful lights, a layer of soft white cotton on the ground, and a bright Bethlehem star at the top. Congregants gather in a peaceful atmosphere, lighting candles and singing "Silent Night," creating a harmonious and heartwarming scene.
The Christmas tree, whether in malls, offices, schools, churches, or homes, has become an indispensable decoration and icon. Even the White House in the United States has a longstanding tradition of decorating Christmas trees since 1889. Besides adding joy to the festive atmosphere, the colorful array of gift boxes under the tree creates a magical, fairy-tale-like scene. Every December, Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, "The Nutcracker Ballet," performed worldwide, always features an incredibly massive and dreamlike Christmas tree at the center of the stage. In the play, children's eyes sparkle with anticipation as they eagerly unwrap their most desired gifts. Christians believe that the gifts under the Christmas tree not only symbolize the biblical gifts of the Magi to Jesus - gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11) but also remind people that salvation Jesus provides to the world is the most precious gift from God.
Despite the beauty of this picture, the Christmas tree is not mentioned at all in the Bible. So, what is the origin of the Christmas tree?
In fact, as early as the 4th century, pagan Europeans had a tradition of decorating evergreen trees. They did so to bring some color and hope to the harsh winter, characterized by the bitter cold and icy conditions. Additionally, in the ancient Roman calendar, there was a festival called Saturnalia, rooted in the worship of Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. During the planting season, people would make offerings and seek divine blessings for a bountiful harvest, similar to what we know as temple fairs or festivals. Saturnalia was a lively celebration, and the festive areas were adorned with tree branches symbolizing the harvest. The festivities also included animal sacrifices, feasts, and gift-giving.
During the reign of Emperor Augustus (63 BCE to 14 CE), Saturnalia was celebrated for just two days. However, by around 133 BCE, it had expanded and extended to a week-long event from December 17th to the 23rd. It wasn't until 336 CE, during the rule of Roman Emperor Constantine, that we had the first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25th in history.
As for why this date was chosen for celebrating Christmas, there are various theories. Some say it is an extension of Saturnalia, with the decorated evergreen trees and gift-giving reminiscent of today's Christmas trees and presents. Others suggest a connection to the Persian god of light, Mithras, whose birthday was believed to be on the winter solstice, which falls on December 25th. Mithraism was a cult that thrived in the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th centuries.
Given this background, the most traditional explanation is that the early Christian Church intentionally aligned pagan festivals with Christmas to make it easier for Roman pagans to accept Christianity as the official religion of the empire.
Despite Christmas having been prevalent worldwide since the 4th century, many Christians still harbor concerns about its pagan origins. For instance, during the early colonial period in the United States, influenced by Puritan beliefs, two government officials, William Bradford and Oliver Cromwell, attempted to dismantle the traditions of Christmas decorations, trying to label it as "pagan." In 1659, they even passed an act in the Massachusetts General Court, making the public celebration of Christmas illegal. While attending church was legal, no decorations, especially Christmas trees, were allowed inside churches. Violators were considered criminals and faced fines. Although this ban was not lifted until 1681, it did not deter conservative Christians who remained staunchly uncompromising for centuries.
Even in the 21st century, some of these Christians firmly believe that decorating Christmas trees and celebrating Christmas align with pagan or non-Christian practices, contradicting the teachings of the Bible. They cite Jeremiah 10:1-16 as their basis, “For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter…their idols cannot speak;they must be carried because they cannot walk…”
In this passage, people are adorning trees as idols to worship. Prophet Jeremiah warns that such actions will provoke the Lord's anger, the earth will tremble, the nations can’t endure his wrath and people will be consumed (Jeremiah 10:10-11). While Christians do not worship Christmas trees, some view the act of "elevating" the trees as, to some extent, equivalent to idol worship.
In reality, many traditions and holidays have their origins in pagan customs, such as New Year's Day. New Year's Day was established by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE. He dedicated the beginning of the year to a Roman god named Janus, the two-faced god. On January 1st of each year, priests would offer sacrifices of a white bull and various foods to seek the blessings of the god Janus. The English word, January, derives from the name Janus. Additionally, when we attend a sacred Christian wedding, we may not realize that the beautiful bride's veil can also be traced back to ancient Rome before Christianity. They believed that brides were particularly susceptible to evil spirits on their wedding day, so the veil was used to ward off these spirits.
Furthermore, when we buy Valentine's Day cards for our loved ones, we might not think about the romantic holiday's origins in Roman pagan festivals like the Festival of Fertility or Lupercalia. This celebration, quite different from the chocolates and roses we associate with Valentine's Day today, involved animal sacrifices, random pairings of men and women, and the ritual whipping of women. Halloween (please see the blog “Zombie Apocalypse”), with its well-known pagan roots celebrating darkness, fire, and death, doesn't need further elaboration. Apart from these, there are various warnings and beliefs within the Christian community. For instance, some caution against Pokémon, the Japanese trading card game, claiming that the symbols of the creatures are satanic, and playing the game is akin to worshiping Satan. Others advise against owning Cabbage Patch dolls, suggesting that these dolls are cursed with spirits that can hinder the childbirth process (Note: claim from Bill Gothard, Director of the "Institute for Basic Life Principles," a Christian organization focused on fundamental principles of life). Christians may also warn each other against practices like Qigong and yoga, believing there is a risk of demonic possession. The list of things Christians are cautioned to avoid is extensive and continues to evolve.
The world is changing rapidly, and every day brings new ideas and practices, making it a constantly evolving place. Some Christians, in their desire to "guard their hearts above all else" (Proverbs 4:23), fear crossing a line that could anger God or be misconstrued by other believers as "compromising with non-Christians”. As a result, they may withdraw and become hesitant to participate in anything new or different. However, there is often a fine line between "caution" and "compromise."
Should Christians avoid setting off fireworks on New Year's, sending bouquets of flowers on Valentine's Day, or wearing wedding veils to maintain their spiritual health? Regardless of a person's faith, they have the right to stand by their beliefs and not simply follow the crowd. However, when faith becomes a cage and, worse, is used to assert one's righteousness or criticize the mistakes of others, we may unconsciously step onto the line of double standards ( please tweet the blog “Double Standard”) we've set for ourselves. This can lead to the situation described in Luke 6:42, where we ignore the beam in our own eye while trying to remove the speck from someone else's.
What's most regrettable is that these "hidden rules" of "what's allowed and what's not" can become a form of "spiritual pride" among Christians. These rules often circulate within Christian circles, and they've been circulating for 2,000 years. Does the decision to decorate a Christmas tree really carry profound spiritual significance? It seems that this debate is best left to those Christians who are concerned about their "spiritual well-being" to decide for themselves!
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