A Tree for all Seasons
Christmas is over and it is time to take down the decorations, nativities and finally, the tree. There is a part of me that wants to get it done as quickly as possible, and then there is the part of me that wants to keep it up longer to enjoy the beauty.
Then I had to stop and remember that Christmas is just not a season, it is about Jesus who is with us for all seasons. I usually have the tree up a few days before I add the ornaments. I have had trees with white lights, but there is just something comforting about the colored lights. I look at the colors and it makes me think how each one can represent something about Jesus, our eternal light. Red for the blood He shed for us. Green for the life that grows because of Him. Blue for life sustaining water, another symbol of Jesus who fills our thirst. Then Gold to remind us that He is our eternal King.
The colors illuminate His beauty, His love for us.
As I was going through my Christmas closet as while getting ready to pack things up, I came across a pretty box and inside, there was a book I had purchased after Christmas last year. So I sat down to read the book and I found this verse. "I am like a tree that is always green, giving my fruit to you all through the year." Hosea 14:8 NLTb
This is the last few lines from the song O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"
Under all the pretty lights and the fragrant pine is the wood.
Our Lord Jesus was born and placed in a manger made of wood.
He died on a cross made of wood.
We know his life did not end there.
So for me the sparkling tree is our Lord and we are the ornaments.
We shine because of Him, the evergreen of life.
Like the tree I keep up all year.
It is a thin pine tree that I decorate all year according to the
seasons. Again I must say that Jesus is the heart of all seasons.
My pastor at church told us how the Christmas tree
and many Christmas traditions come from ancient non-Christian celebrations.
These practices became a part of the Christian celebration of Christmas.
Evergreens represent Jesus who is ever there with us.
The tree itself a symbol of life that goes on even when life around us changes.
Candles were originally placed on the trees and now we have a variety of lights to put on.
But Jesus is everlasting light of the world.
And this tradition of decorating the tree brings a
smile on my face. It reminds me that God is always there with us.
It is a family tradition we look forward to as we remember past Christmas years.
So, as I look at my tree for all seasons,
I will be reminded that the Lord of Love is there for all time.
We look forward to the gifts we get on Christmas morning.
But there are gifts that we can give year around!
Eight Simple Gifts
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
The Gift of God's Love
By Helen Steiner Rice
All over the world at this season,
Expectant hands reach to receive
Gifts that are lavishly fashioned,
The finest that man can conceive.
For purchased and given at Christmas,
Are luxuries we long to posses.
Given as favors and tokens
To try in some way to express
That strange and undeniable feelings
Which is part of this glad time of the year.
When streets are crowded with shoppers
And the air resounds with good cheer.
But back of each tinsel-tied package ,
Exchanged at this gift giving season
Unrecognized often by many,
Lies a deeper, more meaningful reason.
For, born in a manger at Christmas
As a gift from the Father love,
An infant whose name was called Jesus
Brought mankind the gift of God's love
And the gifts we give have no purpose
Unless God is a part of the giving,
And Unless we make Christmas a pattern
To be followed in everyday living.
No comments:
Post a Comment