What is an idol

 

What is an idol

Strong's Lexicon
Idol 457.
elil: Idol, worthless thing, good for nothing: — thing of nought
Meaning: good for, nothing, vain, vanity, an idol
========================= ==================

I've read and seen a lot of videos saying that Christmas trees are not idols or Pagan.
So, let's look and see what a Christmas tree is and does. Let me say I'm not going to try and say that the Christmas tree or Christmas has its roots in paganism. I've seen the evidence going both ways and that's not the point I am trying to make here.

Why do we put up a Christmas tree?

I have read that “There’s nothing that signifies the holiday season as much as Christmas trees.”
If you do not put up a Christmas tree, do you feel like you're missing out on something?
Does the Christmas tree give you joy?
What is the purpose of the Christmas tree?
It is something that we decorate and try to make beautiful so we can stand back and admire the glitter and gold. The Christmas tree is where you put gifts under and where Santa Claus puts the gifts he brings.

I said the magic word ‘Santa Claus’, so what is his part with this Christmas tree. Let's look at Santa Claus for a second. He knows if you've been naughty or nice, he's making a list and checking it twice and if you're good he will bring you gifts. If you are bad, he will leave you a piece of coal in your stocking.
So, Santa Claus is a 1: judge 2: Bringer of gifts 3: Punisher 4: we offer gifts to him in the form of milk cookies. Santa Claus must be a deity or a god. We let our kids ask him for gifts so that he can put them under the Christmas tree. Now our kids will have a hard time going to sleep on Christmas Eve and will wake up early on Christmas morning to find what the great Santa Claus has left.

But you say I read the Biblical account of Christ birth on Christmas Eve or on Christmas day. That’s a good start but will that make up for all the idolatry?

2 Corinthians 6:17 ESV
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

Ephesians 5:11 ESV
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

 Why is it so hard for us to do?

The birth of our Savior was so that we may have life!  
The gift we should be giving is ourselves to Christ and taking up our cross and following him.
Anything else is just vanity and vain. Christmas trees to me must be an idol.

Strong's Lexicon
Idol 457.
elil: Idol, worthless thing, good for nothing: — thing of nought
Definition: Idol, worthless thing
Meaning: good for, nothing, vain, vanity, an idol
Word Origin: Derived from a root word meaning "worthless" or "vain."
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint for "elil" is εἴδωλον (eidolon), Strong's Greek #1497, which also means "idol."

Usage: The Hebrew word "elil" is used to describe idols or false gods, emphasizing their lack of power, worth, and reality. It is often used in a derogatory sense to highlight the futility and emptiness of worshiping anything other than the one true God, Yahweh. The term underscores the contrast between the living God and the lifeless idols made by human hands.