Happy Weekend before Christmas! How is it going? This is usually the time when the LIST of things to do gets longer, not shorter and the expectations we’ve had for the “perfect” holiday have to be re-evaluated and need to be thrown out the window. If you work at a church or live with someone who does, that holiday feeling may not be what you wish it was! In fact that holiday feeling is probably exhaustion! As I type this I am sitting with a half decorated Christmas tree and a very messy dining room. Both must be dealt with swiftly so I can go pack for trip to celebrate the holidays with Rob’s family.
Two of his sisters have late December birthdays and his youngest decided to throw a party at the beach this weekend. A lovely gift but it takes work to travel anytime, but especially at the holidays. And it takes a little brain floss for me to think warm when I’m sitting in winter temperatures. I finally got my suitcase unpacked from our anniversary trip so I can repack with “summery” clothes.
I love to decorate the tree! For me the tree is Christmas! I have had a tree every year since we got married I say I, because my Grinch husband isn’t a big fan. Some trees we cut down, some we purchased at a tree lot. During the pandemic when the boys were in other states, we found a bargain artificial tree and bought it. Just three pieces and the lights were already on it! What a gift to the Grinch! Plus it was tall and could accommodate all my ornaments. We collect ornaments from places we travel and the boys have gotten ornaments in their stocking each year so that they can have their own trees with decorations that hold memories!
Since the kitchen ceiling flooded while we were away, I got way behind on decorating and I knew I didn’t have time to decorate the big artificial tree. So Grinch Rob said I could get a tree that was as tall as I am. Last week I went to the local tree stand and found a five foot tree that I could carry on my own! And it is now set up on a table in the midst of everything. I finally put the lights on it last night because I really wanted white Christmas lights but they were sold out and my order isn’t arriving til tomorrow! I dug out the old colorful Christmas lights last night and started the process! And boy to I miss the ease of a pre-lit tree.
How do you view the Christmas tree? Is is a gift or a chore? Is it your work of art or just another task on the list of things to do?
I am a huge tree fan in general!. Trees speak to me. We chose our neighborhood in Cincinnati because of the trees and our house had an amazing 100 year old oak tree in the front yard. In this house in Nashville, I have a beautiful magnolia tree that was planted by the builder and an ugly old tree that I wouldn’t let be cut down because it was the only one left on our street! The birds and the squirrels are thankful.
I am thankful for the imagery of trees in the Bible. They are life giving and celebratory!
“So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines— Monuments to me, to GOD, living and lasting evidence of GOD.”
Isaiah 55:12-13 The Message (MSG)
What trees come to mind when you think of trees in the Bible?
The tree in the Garden of Eden, the tree planted by streams in Psalm 1 and the ones I’d forgotten about in Revelation.
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit…The leave were used for medicine to heal the nations. REVELATION 22:1-2 NLT
And Isaiah reminds us that the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah involves a NEW tree! New GROWTH from an old stump
ISAIAH 11: 1-10 New International Version
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.Roots
What is God’s Word for you today? What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about? Read again and allow Jesus to speak to your heart.
Roots and New Growth. In what ways have you put down roots in your faith this year? What new growth has taken place?
In what areas would you like to see NEW growth in the year ahead?
How would you like to see righteousness and justice in our land? Spend some time praying about this.
“From Genesis to Revelation…The symbol of a tree in our midst is the promise of sustaining life everlasting. The TREE is always with us. ( Scott Erickson) Honest Advent.
Scott Erickson Art
We put up trees and decorate trees in our yards for Christmas. When you see a Christmas tree be reminded of God’s healing, hope and the PROMISE of EMMANUEL…GOD WITH US!
BIG TREE last Christmas
JUST A REMINDER: When Rob and I both worked on a church staff, at two different churches, we often had a half decorated or even an undecorated tree at this point in the season. We just didn’t have the bandwidth to do all the church things required, and school parties and community events AND have the house the way we’d hoped. So this is our annual reminder that CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON! We are still in ADVENT and Christmas doesn’t begin til Christmas Day and runs until January 6th, Epiphany! So you have lots of time to celebrate and get the things done that are still on your list. With the way the postal service is going both here and in Canada, I think Epiphany presents are totally in order this year! Epiphany is the celebration of the Magi bringing gifts to Jesus and the LIGHT coming to the entire world, not just the Jewish nation. So honor this church calendar this year and celebrate Christmas for the real 12 days of Christmas that fall after the 25th! Give yourself permission to bake the cookies or share a meal with friends, AFTER the 25th! Keep listening to Christmas music, take the time to watch your favorite Christmas movie that you haven’t had time to see. When I lived in Seattle, January was so grey and dreary, that I would leave up my decorations replacing Santas with snowmen and refreshing the greenery from our yard. And leaving up the Christmas lights a little longer brightens everyone’s day!
Merry Christmas from me and the grinch
Let the Christmas Tree remind you of the NEW things Jesus wants to do in your life even from what feels like a dead tree stump! AMEN and Happy Christmas!
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com