What's with the tree?

Many families, including mine, have designated today as the day to decorate for Christmas. But what's with the tree? Where'd that tradition come from? Truth is, I don't know (nor care). That's not the point of this post. But I would like to point to something to serve as a great reminder as we watch them glisten this evening. A parallel that I couldn’t help but see as I read this morning.

The context of this post comes not only with this "designated day or decor,” but also with a three year old who has driven me and my wife bonkers this morning. It’s like when we set aside time to do family activities, nothing goes right. Having a three year old is like bending down to help someone tie their shoe and then they kick you in the teeth. Twice.

So remember that story where everyone sings "Hosanna!" as Jesus comes riding in on a donkey? Well right after that there's this weird interaction that takes place with a fig tree. It's almost like the author got distracted as he was writing. Look at Mark 11:12. Jesus curses a fig tree, then proceeds to freak out on those people that were turning religion into a transaction in the temple. Then, like it was all beautifully engineered to go together, Jesus explains the cursed fig tree that seemed so random in the beginning.

Here’s the first reminder I see: There's nothing that you did this year that can buy your salvation. It’s pointless to try. In the same breath though, there's nothing you did this year that can take that free gift away from you. Thank God for His faithfulness despite our corruption. Find rest there this Christmas. "Have faith.." Jesus says, "and forgive those that have hurt you and know that He is faithful to forgive you!" (vv 22-26) Find peace there this Christmas. 

Do you remember the story of Jesus' birth? The angel appears to the shepherds and said, "Don't be afraid, I bring you good tidings of great joy!" There's no greater image of "Good tidings of great joy" than a kid seeing a tree on Christmas morning with gifts underneath. The tidings are tangible and the joy is visible. “Not only is the gift here, but today we enjoy it!” That tree in the living room has a purpose after all.

Oh, the pity of a tree with no gifts under it! Oh, the embarrassment of a tree with no fruit. And there lies the second reminder for me. This tree of ours suddenly becomes a mouthpiece of our personal stewardship. He gives and He takes, but through it all, we too are called to be faithful. What have we done / What are we doing with this grace-filled life?

It’s illustrated in our tree; Years of memories in ornament form, a topper to serve as a beacon of hope, and gifts below for the ones we love.

If you're anything like our family, you've had a year of ups and downs, but God was faithful thought it all! Matter of fact, we learned it more in the ‘downs’ than the ‘ups.’ We have been incredibly blessed and that silly tree means more and more each year. Yesterday during the Thanksgiving day parade, I saw the word ‘Believe’ on the side of Macy’s in beautiful large calligraphy. We want so bad to believe in something right? It’s whimsical. I think that’s the ultimate point of Mark 11: Believe. Believe that… I might get a fig ornament this year to remind me of that.Him confidently. This Christmas, you may be able to communicate the "reason for the season," but join me in making it a little more personal and communicate the reason for the tree.

Cursed for no figs bore by a tree.

Cursed by the grip that sin had on me.

But Christ as a babe, a boy then a man,

pierced on a tree, to allow me to stand.

Now for my son in all of our strife

I taste what it means to surrender my life.

Continue to teach me the words 'mercy' and 'free'

As I work to give under our tree.

And if underneath a bike or a toy,

may they teach us good tidings of a much greater joy.

--

Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely He took up our pain

    and bore our suffering,

yet we considered Him punished by God,

    stricken by Him, and afflicted.

But He was pierced for our transgressions,

    He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,

    and by His wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

    each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on Him

    the iniquity of us all.