CHRIST-mas TREE
Is there an angel atop your Christ-mas tree
heralding tidings of joy for all to see?
Perhaps there are musical notes decorating your tree
reminding you of those angelic songs of jubilee.
Maybe you’ll display harps or trumpets that could have played
tidings of peace and joy from the heavenly host as they paid
a visit to earth that night
with God's glory shining bright.
Don't forget to display the words peace and joy
the heavenly host spoke of when employed
to announce the good news to all.
Words that still ring true for us all:
Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
(Glory to God in the highest.)
These angelic songs were first sung to the shepherds
as they cared one night long ago for their herds.
Is there a shepherd's hook on your tree
for your friends and family to see?
Perhaps there are sheep scattered among your Christ-mas tree's evergreen boughs,
reminding us of those sheep protected from animals that howl and growl,
as shepherds kept watch through the night
under the stars shining bright.
Or will sheep on your tree remind you of the Good Shepherd,
or as David states in Psalm, The Lord Is My Shepherd.
Do take a moment to recall
this good news available to all.
The shining lights on the Christ-mas tree
remind us of the stars twinkling brightly
in the midnight sky that night
when the shepherds were filled with fright.
Or the magnificent star that led the wise men
all the way to the town of Bethlehem.
Orchestrated by God, the first GPS system?
Have you ever thought how each detail was wonderfully planned?
Is there a manger hanging from within
your Christ-mas tree's evergreen limbs
cradling the Christ-child,
above pretty-wrapped gifts piled?
Do barnyard animals nestle in the boughs -
cattle, donkeys, or maybe feathered fowls -
in remembrance of the last-minute stable
that the innkeeper made available?
Maybe there's a star atop your tree
reminding you of the star the wise men did see
guiding them to where the Christ-child
was, with his mother Mary, as the star directed.
Perhaps camels are added to the revelry
as they too have a place in history.
Don't forget the wise men's gifts
of gold, myrrh, and frankincense.
Perhaps you'll display something gold or a wooden treasure chest
to remind you of these gifts given after the long quest
to find the newborn King
who would forgiveness bring.
Do you hang a cross upon your tree
to be reminded of the cross of Calvary
where Jesus willingly gave His life,
in turn offering us eternal life?
Is there a heart in red
reminding you of the blood shed
when Jesus freely gave His life for us
reminding you of the real meaning of Christmas.
Do include an ornament heart
to remind you of God’s love for you.
God’s love that will never depart -
never ending, each day anew.*
* * * * *
This year when you decorate your Christ-mas tree,
be reminded of God's gift to you offered for free.
The gift of salvation found in Jesus, whose name means the Lord saves,
offering you forgiveness, peace, and joy, with His life He gave.
The angel said to them...
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Luke 2:10
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest..."
Luke 2:13-14
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:16
On coming to the house,
they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Matthew 2:11
For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (KJV)
* (It’s a German tradition to hide a pickle within the pine tree’s boughs to be found. Perhaps your family could start a tradition involving a special Christmas heart.)
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