O’ Christmas Tree

Christmas music, snowflakes, peppermint mochas, Christmas   movies, and school breaks are few of the highlights of December! But for myself it’s quite possibly more exciting to decorate the house for Christmas than it is Christmas day as we rush to open gifts.

There is so much anticipation as all of the boxes are taken to their designated room of the house, carefully opened, and  flown to the side as the beautiful decorations are pulled out.

Christmas music is streaming from the iHome and a Christmas mug brimming with coffee is always within reach as Mom and i transform our home into a Christmas wonderland.

The very best part while decorating is the Christmas Tree. There is still just something so magical as the lights are plugged in and the whole tree lights up a dark room with ornaments, garland, and an angel on top twinkling

Homes and stores full of trees always mesmerize me. Each with different themes, sizes, and colors---and I can’t help but think about how our own lives can be illuminators like Christmas trees are.

When we see a Christmas tree in a home we can begin to hear some of the story of which that family tells with their life. It’s kind of humbling when you think that a simple Christmas decoration can begin to tell the history of a home.

If our lives were Christmas trees-let’s just say a good solid 8 ft. tree sitting in the family room next to the fireplace—how would it look?

The basics: What color of lights? What style of ornaments- handmade or purchased? Popcorn garland or gold beads? Would it be a bright colorful tree---one welcoming kids to fall asleep underneath? Or a Victorian tree so perfect people fear breaking a bulb if they get too close?

Granted, this thought process does seem more like a 4th grade art assignment to be taken home to mom & dad, but it does begin to question a few things.                      

                                                                                                                         How would people describe us?

Do others see us as loving, cheerful, and giving?

Does our lifestyle align with what we expect from others?

Going along with the old saying, ‘do our actions speak louder than our words’?

What kind of fruit is our lives producing?

Who would people say we are following?

As we are given some time now to enjoy family and be reminded that Christ’s birth is the real reason for the celebration, may we question and perhaps reevaluate what our lives are portraying.

In the same way let your light shine before all men, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.    ~Matthew 5:16

Christmas isn’t about giving gifts. It’s about giving love. Giving a love that shines so brightly that it could only have been ignited by a small child in a manager decades and decades ago.