O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…

If you’ve read any of my blogs or articles, you’ll know I have quite a sentimental streak when it comes to family stuff. For instance, my wife, Darlene, and I have been collecting Christmas ornaments for many years. 

We have ornaments that speak of key times in our journey together – handmade ones from Christmas Markets in Germany when I used to tour there, ones indicating our ‘first’  Christmases (marriage, kids’), ones that speak of our return to Canada after living in the UK for 12 years… all kinds of momentous occasions! I even have a favourite from my childhood, which I found in my mom’s collection, to remind me of family Christmases with members that I can no longer share the season with. And every year when we trim the tree, these are beautiful reminders of events and journeys that God has brought us through.

The other day, we were having morning bible reading as a family, and we read about Jacob’s encounter with God when his name was changed to ‘Israel’. Gen. 35:14 talks of how he ‘set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it”. In other words, his reaction to this powerful encounter with God was to worship Him! Our discussion moved around to the ornaments on our tree, and how many of them are just that… our version of ‘stone pillars’ indicating the faithfulness of God to us in all seasons. 

I used to think that it was only children who were fascinated by the sight of a freshly decorated tree, replete with flashing lights, silver garland, and such. But perhaps now I realize there’s more to a tree than the tacky plastic merchandise that my local hardware or dollar store will flog to me. It’s up to me to make the tree the kind of symbol of, and even an aid to, my worship of God in thanksgiving for his goodness and salvation! As many light candles at Advent to remember, so I plug in my tree and think on my Saviour and His goodness toward me!