By chance, do you remember Ms. Frizzle and The Magic School Bus series, created by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen and published by Scholastic? Boy, I sure do! Each storyline transports readers, along with Ms. Frizzle and her class, to unique and unusual places. These over-the-top field trips serve as a catalyst for many lessons. Well, what if we could do the same thing? In fact, what if we traveled onto a Christmas tree? What novel concepts might we learn? Join me on a journey into how a life of faith adorns a Christmas tree!
The Foundation
For our trip, let us begin at the bottom. All good Christmas trees must have a sturdy foundation. Without a solid base, adding any amount of weight could topple the tree. (This unfortunate scenario actually happened to a friend of ours! No kidding!)
The same is true in life. When people ground themselves by living a life of faith and in service to Christ, they establish a strong spiritual foundation, which is important. Why? Well, in every person’s lifetime, weighty events will enter and threaten to tear at the very fabric of faith. Living a life of faith in The One, however, provides the very strength needed to stand up against any such attempt, thwarting any effort to knock down the person’s spirit (and joy).
The Ornaments
Continuing our journey, we leave the tree’s foundation and arrive at the body of the tree with all of its richly green, voluminous branches. Each one is perfectly suited for the array of diverse ornaments just waiting to be hung. As the ornaments are selected, each has an optimal place on the tree. For example, harder to break options are chosen for the lowest lying branches. After all, what if a pet or young child runs past, knocking ornaments to the floor? Speaking of children, the lowest branches are also the broadest, representing all of the life one has yet to live while still in their youth.
Moving up the tree, we see a myriad of ornaments, some a little more fragile than the lowest-placed ones. Others, however, are more sentimental and precious. At this point in our journey, our eyes behold ornaments made by loved ones, perhaps children at different stages of their childhood, as well as gifts from cherished friends. As a former teacher, this is the place on my family’s Christmas tree where you would discover ornaments gifted to me by some of my many students. My tree is also home to mementos, reminders of precious family vacations and memories shared throughout the years. Perhaps your tree is similarly decorated.
The middle of the tree contains the preponderance of ornaments. This part of a Christmas tree could also reflect the majority of a person’s life. How? Well, this is the time when friendships are nurtured, families are started, careers are progressing, and special memories are created. No other part of an individual’s life is as full, or busy, as this period of time. Therefore, why wouldn’t this section of the tree appear so abundant, or pronounced? After all, it mirrors the beautiful, diverse blessings and experiences gifted to us by the Creator, including special moments and people, which we cherish, enjoy, and hold most dear.
A person ventures to the highest points of a Christmas tree to place the most fragile ornaments. Why? There is less of a chance for them to get knocked off the tree and broken. This section is also the smallest one and converges into the tree’s apex. Consider this part of the tree a reflection of life’s fragility, serving as a reminder of the pinnacle of life, eternity in Heaven.
The Lights
Up to this point, our journey has focused primarily on the body of the Christmas tree. However, nothing is more breathtaking than bright, awe-inspiring lights, nestled among the beautiful ornaments and sprinkled amidst an evergreen backdrop. However, what do you suppose the lights represent in the lives of God’s beloved children?
Regardless of whether an individual prefers white lights, blue lights, or the assorted variety, the glow resonating from the Christmas tree is vibrant and alive! Such diversity is the distinguishing hallmark of how each person envisions God in their own mind. The lights, in all their glory, signify the Lord’s presence throughout all seasons of life. Childhood. Midlife. Senior years. A life well lived. How could they reflect anything else? After all, God, through The Holy Spirit, remains steadfastly with each of His children through it all!
The Top of the Tree
This brings us to the final part of a Christmas tree. You know what it is. Drum roll please… It is time for the star or angel topper! The pinnacle of the Christmas tree journey is reaching the top. For God’s children this means spending forever with Him in Heaven.
Scripture’s Message
Now, let us take a moment to examine what Scripture says. We will take it in order of our Christmas tree analogy. King David acknowledges God as the source of his strength and spiritual foundation by saying, “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2, NIV). This is important because weighty, dark moments will arise in the course of everyone’s lifetime. However, with a spiritual foundation grounded in the Lord, an individual can, and will, withstand whatever happens.
As we place ornaments on our Christmas trees, we are reminded of all the times God has been present in our lives, blessing us through loved ones, dear friends, a means to provide for our families, special memories shared, and so on. While imparting The Great Commission on His apostles and sending them to make disciples and spread Christianity throughout the world, Jesus states unequivocally, “… I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). Notice, Jesus did not say He would only be with us when things are going well. No. He is with us always.
In addition to serving as a source of spiritual strength, God’s Word reminds us, “[His] word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105, NIV). What does this mean? Well, difficult moments are made easier when a person puts their trust in the One who will shine a path for them to get through whatever dark challenges they may face. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is loving and faithful. We can trust Him because He keeps His promises to His children. What a gracious gift, indeed!
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
First of all, thank you for taking a most unique journey with me onto a Christmas tree! Hopefully, our adventure has shown how a Christmas tree is more than merely a display of ornaments and lights. Yes, the gift of a Christmas tree lies much deeper in what it collectively represents. A well-adorned tree is like a life lived in service to Christ. The focus should not be on the size of the tree, or the length of one’s life. No. What matters is what you do with it! Therefore, this Christmas, the surprise gift is in noticing how a life of faith adorns a Christmas tree!
Excellent!!! Thank you for your creativity which comes from God.