As we drove to the same Christmas tree farm that we have frequented for the past six years, my wife and I made a decision that we would choose a tree as quickly as possible, or quicker than in years past. As our sons have grown older, their interest in finding the perfect tree has waned. Instead, it has become an opportunity to have pine cone wars and for playing tag among the trees. Not that this is bad in and of itself, it is that the other paying customers hunting for trees don't seem to appreciate my three son's creative use of the space for brotherly interaction. However, the main reason that we have decided that the tree's appearance and shape doesn't matter all that much is because, when we get it home, it will go through a transformation. What it is in the field will be changed when we get it to our house, it will take on a whole new appearance. The form and shape of the tree will fade as the adornment of the lights and decorations become the focal point. I'm not implying that any 'ol' tree will do, but in the end, it is not what people will see and focus on when they behold the Remington family Christmas Tree.
The Message of Christmas centers on a similar concept. God came to earth 'hunting' for a tree (people) that He could adorn with His Righteousness and place in His home. He is the one who beautifies our lives...it is the fact that He came and claimed our lives that changes our destination and decor. Instead of anger, bitterness, fear and guilt, our lives now begin to be adorned with forgiveness, kindness, goodness, faith, love, peace and joy. No longer is this world our home but we are destined for a permanent home in Heaven.The Bible puts it this way -- "If any person is in Christ Jesus, they become a new creation, the old is gone and all things are made new."
This Christmas, we are praying that God would continue His work of transformation in our hearts, our homes, our church and our world. We want to decrease and we want Him to increase...it is His light and beauty that we want the world to see. So, as you decorate your tree or look at the trees around our church campus...remember and reflect on the ultimate 'tree.' The tree that reveals God's reconciling work that makes possible our own personal transformations!How about you? Any tree stories or photos to share here in the comments?
6 comments:
Great blog. Love the picture of you and Sandy and the decorated tree. Will put this as one of my blogs to follow.
P. Randy,
I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. It was funny, I laughed! Also I would like to share that your front room is very beautiful and tidy after your Christmas decorations went up. Mine – in contrast is a pig sty, it is such a mess, a dump of Christmas décor still in boxes. I am challenged to start decorating!
But I am commenting today, because as my family was taking time to put up the tree this year, I was puzzled as to what the reason for spending so much time and effort to put up a tree -- really was!? After all it was all coming down in a month. So I sat there and questioned…
Normally I don’t take time to question these things, but God brought your blog entry into my email. With the challenge you presented to the church of taking time to remember Christ this season, I too wanted to delve deeper.
I really liked the way you talked about Christ taking the time to pour his righteousness on us! What an awesome image. I feel transformed thinking about Gods love poured out onto me. I am a great creation of Christ. Thanks for blogging and sharing your understanding!
Wishing you and your family a Happy Christmas!
A fellow Beaverton-er.
Randy ~ Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Your illustrations always touch the heart strings and weaves the Truth of God's Word. Your prospective gives one another reminder to help us keep CHRIST at the core of our holiday celebrations and traditions. Blessings to you, Sandy and the boys!! ~Aimee Peterson
Our tree story starts with an unusual Christmas ornament that is a tradition in our house. If you look closely at the photo (hope it shows up), you'll see something next to the white nativity ornament: it's a wishbone with a red velvet bow.
Long ago we were a young family with an infant and toddler, and struggling to get by. Times were very hard and we found ourselves at a point where we were running out of food very quickly, until we were down to just one can of tomato soup left in the cupboard. We had no idea what we were going to feed our children that evening, much less the days following.
On that same day, which happened to be Valentine's Day, our friends from Spokane stopped by for an unexpected visit. My husband was at work, but I was able to visit with them for a short time. It was getting close to lunchtime (and not wanting to confess that things were tight) I said, "You're welcome to stay for lunch if you'd like--all I have is a can of soup since I haven't been to the store just yet...but you're welcome to it." They declined, saying that they were already planning on having lunch with his mother who lived nearby, and said they'd stop by later.
A few hours later there was a knock at our door. Our friends were back...but this time their hands were full as they brought in bag after bag of groceries for us. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and could not hold back the tears. Even to this day it still gets me.
After the groceries were all brought in and set on the counter, I saw that one of the bags held a big turkey, which was especially thrilling because I knew that we now had enough meat for several days. They hugged me and then handed me a beautiful Valentine's Day card with $60 dollars tucked inside. They had no idea what that meant to us--now I could get the formula we needed, diapers, gas for the car, and any other necessities. We were so appreciative of their graciousness and generosity, and have never forgotten their unbelievable act of kindness.
Years later my husband and I both were in good jobs when I felt a tug in my heart that it was time to send back the $60. I didn't know why, but felt that I really needed to do it, so I sent it off to our friends and thanked them again for what they did for us years ago and told them how much it meant.
A few days later my friend called me, and she was crying. Her Grandpa had just passed away and they didn't have enough money for gas to go to his funeral, which was out of town. She said that the money we sent meant that they could now go and pay their final respects to her Grandpa.
I learned a simple but profound lesson that day: that God works in ways that we don't quite understand, but He knows-and to trust His nudging! And one other lesson He taught me--when we learn to release what we have (whether it's a can of soup or whatever we're holding on to) and let God be in control, He promises to see us through...and often we are blessed beyond measure.
Over the years we've collected the wishbones from every turkey dinner since then and a few years ago, started placing them on our tree with a little red velvet bow, as a reminder that God Provides. When people ask us why we have wishbones all over our tree, we get to tell them our story.
When my husband and I were helping fill the food boxes at church this year for Thanksgiving, we did it because our hearts go out to the people on the other end--we've been there and know exactly how much it means.
May God bless you beyond measure this Christmas season, and may you understand that He truly does care. Christmas is a message that in our deepest hurt, God heard us and sent His son Jesus as an act of His love for you and me. God provided back then and He still provides today.
No matter where you are or where you've been, He loves you. Don't ever ever forget that.
Randy,
Great Story!!
Our boys love playing war, tag and hide from grizly bear dad. Not so amusing to the serius tree hunter and evem less amusing the land minds left by our dog. (We did preform mind retreavel)
We to pray for continued transformation, like the little tree from the Charlie Brown Christmas. Less on us and more on God and the gift of love in Christ!
God Bless and have a great Christmas Season!
The Pratt family
Hi Randy ~ I love your blog! As our teenagers have grown up, the tradition of cutting down our own tree has lost it's pizazz. Our new tradition is taking the tree out of the box and putting a pine scented plug in behind it for effect. Ha ha...
Bill & Angie Ryan
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