Christmas

Bethlehem on Christmas Day, 1898. The photograph presents a scene reminiscent of Mary and Joseph, as they approached Bethlehem some 1900 years earlier.

Christmas is a holiday celebrated on December 25th by giving and receiving gifts that are often placed beneath real or imitation pine trees known as 'Christmas trees'.

Biblical Mentions

Christmas trees may be mentioned in the book of Jeremiah as pagan idols, in verses strikingly similar to the popular Christmas song, "Deck the Halls".

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. 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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Jeremiah 10:2-5 (KJV)

U.S. Capital Christmas tree (2007)

Gallery

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  The Star of Bethlehem.

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  The Star of Bethlehem. Source: Yonge, Charlotte M.: “Religion in the Home” (1913).