Pondering the Christmas Tree
Early one morning, while spending some quiet time with the Lord, I began to gaze upon my Christmas tree. Since it was still dark outside, I had turned on the lights, and was gazing upon the beauty of the tree. I began to ponder on the many items which are on the tree, thinking of how I could look at them in different ways, leading me to think upon Christ each time I see my tree.
The first thing I think upon is the tree itself. My Jesus died on a tree for me. Underneath my tree, I have a small nativity. It is a constant reminder to me of the real meaning of Christmas.
Underneath the tree branches, the tinsel, the lights, and all of the decorations is the tree stand, to which all of the branches fit in. The post is the most important part of the tree, for if it wasn't there, then all of the other items couldn't be in their proper place. This makes me think about how Jesus should be first and foremost in our lives. If He isn't, then all of the other things in our life won't be in their proper place. Also, the tree stand is in the middle of the tree, as Jesus should be the center of our lives.
As I was put up the tree every year, I always use those little ‘filler’ pieces to help cover the tree stand. The ‘filler’ wraps around the post, surrounding it. It reminds me of how I am surrounded with the Lord’s favor as with a shield.
Looking upon the branches to the tree reminds me that I am a branch, connected to the Vine. Apart from Him, I will die, so it is imperative for me to make sure that I am staying connected to Him.
If I were to draw a Christmas tree on paper, if I didn't make it in a 3-D shape, it would most likely be triangular in shape, with the tip pointing to heaven. The triangular shape makes me think of our triune God. The tip points heavenward, reminding me of how I am to set my affections above, not on things on this earth because they will quickly fade.
As I look upon the red bulbs, it reminds me of the blood of Christ, shed for me so that I could be set free from the bondage of sin.
Seeing how the tinsel glistens with the reflection of the Christmas lights, so are we to be reflecting Christ in our lives, letting others see His glory in us. One year, I taught this very lesson in my Sunday school class, taking in all of my decorations, tinsel and all. When I held up the tinsel, it started shedding right before my eyes. I laughed and commented that just as the tinsel sheds, so am I to shed all of my fleshly garments.
Seeing the angels remind me that God has angels watching over me, as well as my loved ones.
I have a 'mother-to-be' ornament, given to me when I was expecting Rachel. Seeing that ornament reminds me that just as God allowed me to experience the wonder of giving birth, He also births gifts within each one of us.
As I see the ornament of a gift, it reminds me that we are not to keep our gifts to ourselves, but we are to share them with others.
Each gift which He gives us needs to be offered up to Him, just as the wisemen offered their gifts to Jesus.
The snowman on my tree reminds me of how God takes my sins away, making me whiter than snow.
This same snowman ornament shows such delight on the faces of the snowman and the child. When I think of being washed whiter than snow, do I show that same kind of pure delight on my face?
Seeing the ornaments of sweet, Christmas goodies, I am reminded how my Jesus is sweeter than anything this world has to offer me.
I have a bell that reminds of the ‘ringing’ of the Holy Spirit, warning me when I start to stray, or even ‘ringing’ as a phone does when someone just wants to chat with me. The Holy Spirit sometimes just wants the opportunity to chat with us.
The gold ornaments remind me of my heavenly home, where the streets are made of gold.
The beautiful ornaments which grace my tree remind me of the beauty which Jesus gave me for all of my ashes.
There is one ornament with Precious Moments characters in a scene of Bethlehem. It reminds me of how precious my Jesus is to me.
Another bulb has two little girls on it – one of whom is an angel. The other girl has a countenance filled with wonder and awe, reminding me that I need to take time, especially during this busy season to stand in awe of my Lord.
The ballerina reminds me of how Jesus turned my mourning into dancing. Even though I may not be physically dancing, there are many times when my spirit is dancing.
I have one ornament of a church. I like to stick it on top of one of the lights so that the beautiful light will shine through the windows of the little church. It reminds me that while it is good to show forth my light in church, it’s more important to show that light in this sin-darkened world.
As the lights add a cozy, inviting touch to the room, so the light of Christ should shine through us in a way that makes Christianity look inviting to them.
The star on my tree says “I love Dad,” reminding me that I am to love my Heavenly Dad far above all others.
This same ornament is in the shape of a star. It represents the star which the wisemen followed to find Jesus. That star led them to God the Son, who came to earth as a humble baby, trusting Himself to the care of Mary, who was a woman, born in sin, as we all are. What humble beginnings for the sinless Son of God, yet He chose to leave His royalty behind, and He did it for me. What love He has for all of us!
Finally, as I behold the gold trumpet, I am reminded of the day when the trumpet shall sound, and I shall behold my Savior, coming in the clouds of glory to take me home.
I share these intimate moments involving my Lord and my Christmas tree with you, in hopes that you will begin to look at your tree differently. As you do, I pray the Lord just ministers to you and touches your heart in a new way this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas!
© 2003, Stacy R. Miller | 
