December 12 - Tree Celebrations

Tree Celebrations

“He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Christmas is a time of special traditions.  In fact, this time of year is filled with more traditions than any other time.  I know that if I were to ask others, we would find that each of us has your own special ways that you celebrate at this time of year. Some of us celebrate by gathering the whole family together for a time of food and fun. Some of us get together with friends and watch the Cavaliers and Thunder. Some of us celebrate by cuddling before a roaring fire. In our family, we get together on Christmas Eve and open gifts.  Get together with other family and friends on Christmas day. 

       

However, many of the family traditions that each of us have at Christmas center around the Christmas tree. Almost everywhere you go during this month, you see Christmas trees. Many of you probably purchased a tree or have one that you pull out which is a “well preserved artificial one” from the garage or attic.  Maybe in your family, it’s the job of one or all to go and find the perfect tree and then bring it home for the family to decorate.   Trees are almost everywhere.  Homes, shopping malls, city centers and yes, even the White House.  There is something about Christmas that is incomplete without a tree

Trees are an important part of the Christmas celebration.  Just like each of the items we have talked about, the tree reminds us of the cross. There are several important reminders that Christmas trees give us.   God used the term before anyone else did.  Some think that we stole the idea from pagan rituals when in reality, the tree is the best symbol of our relationship with God.   Trees symbolize important things that Christ has done

1.   First, they are GROUNDED:  In some cedar trees, their root system is as long as their height. Because of their deep rooted system, they are extremely balanced.  But more amazing still is its tap root. The tall cedar’s taproot is just as big going down as the tree is tall going up! In Ephesians 3:17, Paul prayed, “That you would be rooted and established in love.”

2.   Second, they are GREEN:   The pine, fir, spruce, and the cedar are all members of the evergreen family as green is the symbol of life. Whether the tree at Christmas is the same kind Jesus died upon, the important thing is, we see the parallel.  We choose the evergreen tree because while everything else is dying in the winter, this tree remains green.  It is the symbol of God the life giver.  John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath life everlasting.”

3.   Thirdly, they have a GRACIOUS FRAGRANCE:  Cedars and pines give off a sweet aroma. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”   I’m not going to suggest that Christians smell different, but I’ve noticed that Christians do have that different something. It’s a special glow, aroma, whatever you might want to call it people of the world can sense it, smell it if you will and it affects their lives as well.
4.   Fourth, they have great GROWTH:  The best of the tall cedars can grow to 300 feet. That’s a pretty amazing tree. I noticed some correlation’s between tall cedars and our lives.  Tall cedars grow more in the dark and in the cold.  Oh, it grows in the sunlight, but most of its growth occurs in the dark. I know in my life, I’ve found myself growing closer to God in the dark, difficult times more often than in the good times.   It seems to be human nature to grow closer to God during "Challenges 101". Our times of failure and struggle can be the best opportunity to thrive.  That’s when God reveals himself to us in a new way and we grow closer to him.

5.   Fifth, they are GENUINE:  While some woods needs special additives to keep away insects, cedar trees do not.  Some people own a cedar chest. Maybe you have one, or maybe you have cedar-lined closets. It’s where you put valuable things you don’t want little critters to get at. That’s because parasites can’t kill tall cedars. Nothing bugs them! They have the same oil that the fire cedar has and bugs and moths can’t stand them. There is no better picture of what God wants to do in our lives than the Christmas tree.

When you look at the Bible, it, interestingly, often refers to the cross as a tree.  The Greek word for tree is XULAN which in the Bible is used many times to refer to the cross on which Jesus died.  

Acts 5:30- “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.”
Galatians. 3:13- “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

1 Peter 2:24- “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

                   

We must never lose sight of the fact that the angels who announced the child’s birth announced him as the Savior and we know that from the beginning there loomed a tree in the path of the Christ, the tree of the cross that would bring salvation to many.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)   What does the Christmas tree mean to you?

2)   Which of the five descriptions above challenges you most in your faith?

Consider reading the Word today:

Copyright 2014- Terry Risser