Good observation JAM.
I have a few comments (big surprise!)
My comments will be in blue.
The article you quoted will be in black.
All bolding of the quote are my emphasis.
For the customs 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 a hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.
(emphasis added) NIV
Yep, there sure was some emphasis added!
A
full study of the passage shows that the people would cut down a tree and work it with a chisel to engrave an image in it. They would also carry it from place to place as an object to be feared and worshipped. The only consistencies with Christmas tree customs seem to be that both are made of wood and both are decorated.
A full study would have included the practice of worshipping the god Tammuz which means “sprout of life”.
For a pretty good link about how Nimrod (tower of Babel) is the origin of just about every pagan god there is with their various names and stories, see the following:
http://reluctant-messenger.com/2-babylons50.htm
In short, Nimrod dies. His wife (some say he married his mother) has a son and names him Tammuz, claiming that he is the rebirth of the spirit of Nimrod.
(Tammuz is mentioned in Ezekiel 8:14.)
It’s the same basic story no matter what culture or name was used – the father god, the mother goddess, and a son. It’s the unholy trinity.
One of the many rituals the pagans used to worship their god was putting children in fire.
This was the basis of the Yule Log being placed in the fireplace.
Yule means infant.
It represented a sacrifice by fire (infant in fire) to worship the glorious “rebirth” of Nimrod through his son Tammuz.
The most common practice that lasted through the ages was folks would cut down a tree (representing the death of Nimrod), throw a log into the fire (the sacrifice of worship), then decorate the tree (to represent a glorious rebirth).
Some Christians, again a minority,
feel that since "Christmas Trees" are not biblically ordained,
No. We KNOW they are not ordained.
they should not be used. Such individuals and Christian denominations are unlikely to celebrate Christmas at all,
for the same reason, such as the United Church of God.
OR, the reason could be because we have studied on our own without being associated with any particular church.