Daily Thought for Tuesday, December 20th

December 20, 2011

(During this week before Christmas I am going to depart from the normal format of these daily devotions and instead share some special thoughts about the traditions and symbols of Christmas that help us focus on the Real Reason for the Season)

Today’s Bible Verses:    John 15:1-5 & Matthew 1:18-25

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Symbols of Christmas

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is a symbol of immortality, resiliency, longevity, and rebirth.  Growing tall as it weathers the hardships of wind, snow, and rain, the pine tree in the forest symbolizes long-suffering, steadfast friendships, and enduring fame. The pine's strength in the face of adversity makes it symbolic of those who have become strong through suffering, or who have kept to their beliefs and promises in spite of opposition.

One Christmas Eve in 8th century Germany, the missionary, St. Boniface, gathered newly baptized Christians together to renounce paganism by cutting down the sacred oak they once sacrificed under. As it fell, the oak split into four pieces revealing a young pine growing in its center. Boniface suggested that the people take this pine as a symbol of their new-found Christian faith because it's shape points toward Heaven, and it's evergreen foliage reminds us of eternal life.

The vertical symbolism of the pine tree was emphasized by Christians. This tree, which forever pointed heavenward, was a reminder to seek out heavenly rather than earthly treasures. It was a symbol of the saints, their self-denial, and their patience. A meet Christmas symbol, the tree was also a symbol of communication and mediation between heaven and earth because it's roots reached into the earth and its branches soared into the heavens.

Today, one can still see the Jesse-tree. Most popular during the 13th century, this nativity tree was decorated to look like the family tree of the Christ Child. Adam and Eve are displayed at the foot of the tree and Jesus rests at its top. The wicked serpent is entwined around its trunk. This tradition may have come from the Messianic prophecy: "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (Is 11:1).

The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden were blended together in many customs and legends about the fir tree. Adam and Eve Day was celebrated on December 24th. During the Middle Ages it was customary to perform Paradise Plays on the Church grounds on this holiday. A single fir tree strung with apples was used to symbolize both of the garden's trees.

Legend states that the fir is the Tree of Life. When it was created, it had flowers, leaves, and fruit like other trees, but when Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, these shrunk into the needles and cones we see it bear today. The fir did, however, blossom briefly on the night of Christ's birth. It also bears the name "Tree of Life" because it is believed to have been the tree upon which Christ died.

French and German legend calls the Christmas tree the "Tree of Humanity." One Christmas Eve, Bonchevalier found a pine tree lit up with candles and having a star at its top. Some of the candles stood upright, while others hung upside down. His mother told Bonchevalier that this was the "Tree of Humanity." The upright candles represented good people, while the inverted candles stood for evil people. The star at the top was the Christ Child watching over the entire world. Such a tree reminds us to be like our Father in Heaven who sends the sun and rain to nourish both the righteous and the unrighteous (Mt 5:45-46).

Jacob Riis records that Christ sent Faith, Hope, and Love to choose the first Viking Christmas tree. They chose the Balsam fir for this honor because it was as wide as God's love, as high as the Christian's hope, and it bore the shape of the cross on every branch. The pine is one of the trees God planted in the desert to give shade to the thirsty; to prove His power over the elements; and to show His care for the needy (Is 41:17-20).

When the Holy Family was running from Herod's soldiers, a hollow old pine tree hid the exhausted family in its trunk for a night. In the morning, the Christ Child blessed the pine with His little hands. Because of this, it is said that by cutting a pine cone lengthwise, we can see the prints of the Holy Infant's hands to this day.

Christian legend states that on the night of Christ's birth, in spite of snow and ice, all the trees of the earth blossomed for joy, and bore fruit. In addition, all earth's rivers ran happily with wine. In honor of this legend, Austrians brought boughs of cherry, hawthorn, and pear trees into their homes at the beginning of December and placed them in jars of water so they might blossom in time for Christmas.

Another popular story claims that one stormy Christmas Eve, a forester and his family heard a knock at the door of their cottage. Opening the door, they discovered a little child whom they fed and bedded down in spite of their poverty. In the morning the sound of an angelic choir awakened them. Their visitor was the Christ Child! As a reward for their hospitality, He tore a branch from a nearby fir and planted it in the ground. Immediately, it grew and was covered with fruit, nuts, gold, and lights. The Christ Child promised this tree would forever provide for the forester's family in winter.

Some people believe Luther invented the Christmas tree to show his young children the beauty of the forest and the night sky. However, since the earliest verifiable reference to a Christmas tree appears almost 60 years after his death, this origin is largely discounted.

The Christmas tree as we know it began to be seen in the 16th century, and was not popular outside of Germany until the 19th century. At first, trees were only about two feet tall and were set out on tables. Most decorations were pretty candies, cookies, fruits, and other items meant to be admired and eaten by guests. These trees were sometimes called "sugar trees." Later paper ornaments became popular. Finally, in the late 1800's, glass ornaments and electric lights made their debut. Tall trees did not become popular until the Christmas tree came to America - a direct result of this country's abundant natural resources.

Though the Christmas tree is but a symbol in all these myths above, it still serves as a reminder that all of God’s creation worships and reflects Him in some way. And during this Christmas season my our hearts be pointed towards Heaven like the to of the tree: may our lives be adorned with the fruits of His spirit and may the light of our daily living shine brightly to illuminate God’s love and mercy, grace and goodness to a world that is hurting and in need.  And may the Christ of Christmas always be the most beautiful part of our holiday celebrations.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help me to be like the tree planted by the waters, in that I will not be moved or shaken from my faith and that I will stay rooted and grounded in you.