✨DAY 5 OF 12 DAY JOURNEY: UNLOCKING THE IDENTITY OF JESUS CHRIST

theportersview
Dec 16, 2025
5 min read

Part 1: Christmas Trees, Santa Claus,

and the Birth of Jesus Christ

OPENING STATEMENT (INTRODUCTION)

There have been ongoing discussions, questions, and even quiet concerns resting in the minds of many believers about Christmas traditions. Questions like:

Is Jesus Christ connected to Santa Claus?

Is He connected to Christmas trees?

And where did these traditions originally come from?

Today, I want to openly address these questions with clarity, history, and truth — not from rumor, emotion, or condemnation, but from understanding. I will share my perspective concerning customs and traditions that have been passed down for generations, some rooted in Christian history, others shaped by culture, and some blended over time.

We will unlock the origin of these traditions — how they were created, how they evolved, and how they came to be associated with the celebration of Christ. We will examine the role of Saint Nicholas, a real Christian bishop known for generosity and compassion, and how his legacy influenced Christian communities, particularly in Europe and Britain. We will also look at how cultural movements, including the Protestant Reformation, shaped symbols like the Christmas tree, where some believe Martin Luther placed candles on a tree to represent the stars in the night sky.

This is not about tearing down faith — it is about bringing understanding.

It is not about judgment — it is about truth.

And it is not about removing Christ — it is about centering Him clearly.

✨ What Christmas Trees & Santa Claus Come From

Christmas Trees:

The tradition of bringing evergreens indoors in winter predates Christianity. Ancient Romanians, Druids, Vikings and other Northern European peoples used evergreen boughs or trees to celebrate the winter-solstice and honor life in the dead of winter (symbolizing life in dark times).
The “modern Christmas tree” — a decorated evergreen displayed indoors during the holidays — appears to have first taken shape among Christians in 16th-century Germany. Some say the Protestant reformer Martin Luther placed candles on a tree to represent stars. Over time, this custom spread (to Britain, then the United States), becoming a popular holiday symbol, especially after royal and public adoption in the 19th century.

So while evergreen trees and winter celebrations existed before Christ, the “Christmas tree” as we know it became widespread within Christian Europe — but with roots in older, non-Christian seasonal customs.

✨ Santa Claus (and Gift-Giving Traditions)

The modern image of Santa Claus blends many influences: a historical Christian bishop (Saint Nicholas), medieval European folklore, and pagan myths from Northern Europe (some connected to figures like the Norse god Odin, associated with winter gift-giving rituals).
Over centuries, especially in Western culture, the Santa figure was popularized through literature, folklore, and later commercial art — turning him into a mostly secular symbol of holiday gift-giving rather than a strictly religious figure.

Thus, like the Christmas tree, Santa Claus and many of the festive customs around him have mixed heritage — some Christian history, some pagan tradition, and much popular evolution.

✨ What This Means for Jesus Christ and the Birth of Christ?

Jesus as Messiah is not connected by Scripture to evergreen trees, gift-giving gnomes, sleighs, or reindeer. These things are external cultural elements, not biblical mandates.
The core of “Christmas” — the birth of Jesus, the Incarnation — remains Scripture-based. Christians celebrate December 25 (or other dates) because of tradition, not because the Bible commands it. The Bible doesn’t specify a date for Jesus’ birth.
Symbols and practices are not inherently evil — but they carry baggage. Because many customs have pre-Christian roots (winter-solstice celebrations, pagan rituals, etc.), some believers view them as “pagan customs adopted by the church.”

How Believers Can Approach It — Discernment & Intention

If you decide to include these traditions in celebration, consider:

Your heart and motive. Are you honoring Jesus Christ — His identity, His birth, His purpose — or simply celebrating culture and comfort?
What you teach your children or church. Are you mixing the Gospel with folklore in a way that confuses truth and tradition?
Whether you feel led by the Spirit. Just like you’ve said about Revelation and the identity of Jesus — some teachings require spiritual clarity and alignment.

In short: it’s possible to celebrate Christmas, use certain symbols, and still honor Christ — but it must be done intentionally, with understanding that many Christmas traditions arose outside Scripture.

✨ Christmas Trees, Santa Claus, and the Birth of Jesus Christ

1. BEFORE JESUS — PAGAN WINTER WORSHIP (2000–0 BC)

1.Before the birth of Christ, many cultures practiced winter-solstice rituals because winter represented death, darkness, and fear.

✨ Evergreen Trees (Pagan Symbolism)

Egyptians, Celts, Vikings, and Romans used evergreen branches to symbolize life surviving death.
Trees were seen as sacred objects representing eternal life, fertility, or sun gods returning after winter.
Druids (Celtic priests) worshiped trees and believed spirits lived in them.

→ NONE of this is connected to the Messiah.

✨ Gift-Giving (Pagan & Cultural Roots)

Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival of drinking, gift-giving, caroling, and decorating trees.
This festival happened in late December, and some customs were later blended into “Christmas culture.”

2. JESUS CHRIST IS BORN — THE TRUE STORY (4–6 BC)

Biblically — His birth is not connected to trees, elves, reindeer, or Santa.

The Biblical Birth

Found in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2:

Born in a manger
Shepherds visited first (not wise men)
Angels announced the birth
Wise men came later, when Jesus was a toddler
The Bible does NOT give a birth date

✝️ The Identity of Jesus

Emmanuel — God with Us
The Word Made Flesh (John 1:14)
The Light that Entered Darkness (John 1:5)
The Lamb of God — Passover fulfillment
The Son of David
The Root of Jesse
The King of Kings

✨ NONE of His identity is rooted in holiday decorations.

3. AFTER JESUS — EARLY CHURCH DOES NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS (100–300 AD)

The early disciples celebrated:

His death
His resurrection
Pentecost

They did NOT celebrate His birthday.There was no Santa, no tree, no lights — just pure Gospel.

4. THE ROMAN CHURCH ADOPTS DECEMBER 25 (300s AD)

When Rome became Christianized under Constantine, church leaders:

Chose December 25 to replace pagan winter festivals
Combined the celebration of Christ’s birth with existing Roman customs
Allowed evergreen decorations to keep pagans “comfortable” transitioning into Christianity

This is where syncretism — mixing pagan practices with Christian meaning — began.

5. ST. NICHOLAS BECOMES “SANTA CLAUS” (300–1800 AD)

✨ REAL HISTORY: Saint Nicholas

A Christian bishop in the 300s
Known for generosity, helping the poor, rescuing children
A righteous man — but NOT a North Pole figure

✨ Evolution into Santa Claus

Dutch settlers brought the name Sinterklaas to America
Artists and poets reshaped him into:
- A magical old man
- Flying reindeer
- Red suit
- Chimney entrances

Coca-Cola’s 1930s ads solidified the modern Santa image

✨Santa became a commercial, cultural symbol — not a Christian one.

6. THE MODERN CHRISTMAS TREE (1500s–1900s)

Christians in Germany began bringing trees into homes. Eventually:

British & American culture embraced the Christmas tree
Lights were added (inspired by “Christ, the light of the world”)
Ornaments and decorations became symbolic

But the foundation still traces back to winter-solstice tree traditions.

7. THE TRUTH: Jesus Christ Has No Biblical Connection to Santa or Trees

✨ The Tree is Cultural.

Not commanded by Scripture, not part of the nativity, not connected to prophecy.

Santa is Cultural.

✨ Based on folklore, not the Bible.

Jesus Christ’s Birth Is Scriptural.
His identity is eternal
His mission is salvation
His name carries power
His coming fulfills prophecy
His light destroys darkness

Part 1: Christmas Trees, Santa Claus,

and the Birth of Jesus Christ

OPENING STATEMENT (INTRODUCTION)

There have been ongoing discussions, questions, and even quiet concerns resting in the minds of many believers about Christmas traditions. Questions like:

Is Jesus Christ connected to Santa Claus?

Is He connected to Christmas trees?

And where did these traditions originally come from?

This is not about tearing down faith — it is about bringing understanding.

It is not about judgment — it is about truth.

And it is not about removing Christ — it is about centering Him clearly.

✨ What Christmas Trees & Santa Claus Come From

Christmas Trees:

The tradition of bringing evergreens indoors in winter predates Christianity. Ancient Romanians, Druids, Vikings and other Northern European peoples used evergreen boughs or trees to celebrate the winter-solstice and honor life in the dead of winter (symbolizing life in dark times).

So while evergreen trees and winter celebrations existed before Christ, the “Christmas tree” as we know it became widespread within Christian Europe — but with roots in older, non-Christian seasonal customs.

✨ Santa Claus (and Gift-Giving Traditions)

The modern image of Santa Claus blends many influences: a historical Christian bishop (Saint Nicholas), medieval European folklore, and pagan myths from Northern Europe (some connected to figures like the Norse god Odin, associated with winter gift-giving rituals).

Over centuries, especially in Western culture, the Santa figure was popularized through literature, folklore, and later commercial art — turning him into a mostly secular symbol of holiday gift-giving rather than a strictly religious figure.

Thus, like the Christmas tree, Santa Claus and many of the festive customs around him have mixed heritage — some Christian history, some pagan tradition, and much popular evolution.

✨ What This Means for Jesus Christ and the Birth of Christ?

Jesus as Messiah is not connected by Scripture to evergreen trees, gift-giving gnomes, sleighs, or reindeer. These things are external cultural elements, not biblical mandates.

The core of “Christmas” — the birth of Jesus, the Incarnation — remains Scripture-based. Christians celebrate December 25 (or other dates) because of tradition, not because the Bible commands it. The Bible doesn’t specify a date for Jesus’ birth.

Symbols and practices are not inherently evil — but they carry baggage. Because many customs have pre-Christian roots (winter-solstice celebrations, pagan rituals, etc.), some believers view them as “pagan customs adopted by the church.”

How Believers Can Approach It — Discernment & Intention

If you decide to include these traditions in celebration, consider:

Your heart and motive. Are you honoring Jesus Christ — His identity, His birth, His purpose — or simply celebrating culture and comfort?

What you teach your children or church. Are you mixing the Gospel with folklore in a way that confuses truth and tradition?

Whether you feel led by the Spirit. Just like you’ve said about Revelation and the identity of Jesus — some teachings require spiritual clarity and alignment.

In short: it’s possible to celebrate Christmas, use certain symbols, and still honor Christ — but it must be done intentionally, with understanding that many Christmas traditions arose outside Scripture.

✨ Christmas Trees, Santa Claus, and the Birth of Jesus Christ

1. BEFORE JESUS — PAGAN WINTER WORSHIP (2000–0 BC)

1.Before the birth of Christ, many cultures practiced winter-solstice rituals because winter represented death, darkness, and fear.

✨ Evergreen Trees (Pagan Symbolism)

Egyptians, Celts, Vikings, and Romans used evergreen branches to symbolize life surviving death.

Trees were seen as sacred objects representing eternal life, fertility, or sun gods returning after winter.

Druids (Celtic priests) worshiped trees and believed spirits lived in them.

→ NONE of this is connected to the Messiah.

✨ Gift-Giving (Pagan & Cultural Roots)

Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival of drinking, gift-giving, caroling, and decorating trees.

This festival happened in late December, and some customs were later blended into “Christmas culture.”

2. JESUS CHRIST IS BORN — THE TRUE STORY (4–6 BC)

Biblically — His birth is not connected to trees, elves, reindeer, or Santa.

The Biblical Birth

Found in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2:

Born in a manger

Shepherds visited first (not wise men)

Angels announced the birth

Wise men came later, when Jesus was a toddler

The Bible does NOT give a birth date

✝️ The Identity of Jesus

Emmanuel — God with Us

The Word Made Flesh (John 1:14)

The Light that Entered Darkness (John 1:5)

The Lamb of God — Passover fulfillment

The Son of David

The Root of Jesse

The King of Kings

✨ NONE of His identity is rooted in holiday decorations.

3. AFTER JESUS — EARLY CHURCH DOES NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS (100–300 AD)

The early disciples celebrated:

His death

His resurrection

Pentecost

They did NOT celebrate His birthday.There was no Santa, no tree, no lights — just pure Gospel.

4. THE ROMAN CHURCH ADOPTS DECEMBER 25 (300s AD)

When Rome became Christianized under Constantine, church leaders:

Chose December 25 to replace pagan winter festivals

Combined the celebration of Christ’s birth with existing Roman customs

Allowed evergreen decorations to keep pagans “comfortable” transitioning into Christianity

This is where syncretism — mixing pagan practices with Christian meaning — began.

5. ST. NICHOLAS BECOMES “SANTA CLAUS” (300–1800 AD)

✨ REAL HISTORY: Saint Nicholas

A Christian bishop in the 300s

Known for generosity, helping the poor, rescuing children

A righteous man — but NOT a North Pole figure

✨ Evolution into Santa Claus

Dutch settlers brought the name Sinterklaas to America

Artists and poets reshaped him into:

A magical old man

Flying reindeer

Red suit