The Christmas Tree

It is interesting that a Christmas tree has found its way into our celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus. I tend to think it is quite interesting, maybe even miraculous. At Christmas we go out and buy these trees and then bring them into our homes. We attempt to keep them alive as long as possible with potions of vitamins and fertilizers. We decorate them with just about anything you can imagine. Yes they are sights to behold, there fragrance fill our homes and signals excitement to all.

It just isn’t Christmas if you don’t have a Christmas tree. Of course there are those of convenience who have committed mutiny in buying an imitation tree. They purchase aerosol cans of imitation Christmas tree fragrance. They make a futile attempt to capture the environment of the real thing. Anyone with a average since of smell can spot the phony.

When I think of our Savior Jesus, His birth is like this tree. The fragrance of the Good News that has come to mankind fills the entire earth, the house of God. At the birth of Jesus, this tree is beautiful and fragrant it’s lush and fresh. Like this wonderful news that mankind has a way back to a relationship with God. As we hear from John the Baptist: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12, 13.

By the time Easter rolls around, the time we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus this same tree has lost all of its branches. In fact it really doesn’t even resemble a tree any more. Then it looks like a log, which they cut in two and build in that day the ultimate punishment machine. Two pieces of wood they put together to form a cross as we call it today. Jesus was hung up on this torture machine where he continued to suffer until the punishment was complete for the sin of the world: The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29.

One tree, yet we celebrate two entirely different events of importance to us. One new and fragrant and the other dead and dried up. The dead and dried up tree manufactured into the symbol of our invitation to return back to God the Father. Jesus Christ the one and only unique Son of God. Who now sits at the right hand of the Father. Who is busy preparing a place for us in eternity:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.”In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. "And you know the way where I am going." John 14:1-4