The Heart of GodSample

  The True Christmas Tree

  Christmas trees are one of the best parts of our Christmas traditions. Picking out the perfect tree, setting it up and decorating it is a fun family affair that we all look forward to. It becomes the focal point of the home, especially as its sparkling lights dance across the brightly wrapped gifts that are gathered beneath it, adding to the Christmas cheer. Both children, and adults alike, behold our festive tree and light up just as brightly.

There are many other ways we celebrate Christmas and the Christmas season, such as the entire family joining with neighbors to bless the community with a concert of carols. And yet, whether it is the music of our children’s laughter as they open their presents, the “Ooos” and “Ahhhhs” as we dive into the Christmas feast, and all the rest — our eyes seem to continually drift back to the softly imposing presence of the Christmas tree with its lights, ornaments, and star shining prominently from its summit. 

There is another Christmas tree, however, without which, our celebratory trees, with all their adornments, would have no meaning. That is the tree that the Son of God was nailed to and hung on for our sins. As Acts 10:39 tells us, “And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree” (NKJV).

This is why the Christ-child was born. His whole life was a relentless journey to the tree He was hung on. Jesus was keenly aware of this, which is why He declared, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15, NKJV). 

This is the tree we look to, the tree that the Lord was lifted up on. And in a way, we celebrate Christmas every day of the year as God’s great gift to us is unwrapped in the next two verses (John 3:16-17), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (NKJV). 

Have a merry and meaningful Christmas, December 25th and every day!