A Gift From Germany

It’s not biblical, our lovely Christmas tree. From the History Channel:

Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. … the Egyptians filled their homes with green palm rushes which symbolized for them the triumph of life over death.

So it wasn’t just Germany with an historical interest in symbols, but it was through Germany that America was introduced to what we know as the Christmas tree:

The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.

Over the past few days I’ve written about verses of that first Christmas, a large cast of characters and lots of activities – and no mention of trees.  No verses.

Nope – no verses to tell about these trees that decorate our homes once a year. Not biblical, but a tradition that says to us, “Christmas”, loud and clear. Some people become upset when hearing “Holiday tree” or “national tree” instead of “Christmas tree.” I really don’t care what it’s called. It’s been a tradition for a couple of centuries, but I’m not tied to it. There’s much more to this coming celebration than family traditions.

There’s only one verse, more than any other verse in the Bible, that speaks to me this time of the year. More, even, than John 3:16:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 KJV)

The word ‘Messiah’ is used twice in Daniel. The Greek word ‘Christ’ is used often across the New Testament. Men claimed to be that Messiah, the Christ, over past centuries – men still do today. Luke introduces us to Him as a babe in a manger, unrecognized except for His parents, a few shepherds and a couple of old people in a temple. Yet, every time I read/hear the story, one other verse comes to mind:

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)

Thanks for sticking with me through the Christmas discussions for the past few days – and I beg your indulgence for the next few days as I take them off from writing to focus on family and the celebration of God’s gift of a Savior to each and every one of us. May this be a blessed time for you and your family. May God open our hearts to His message – He has one for us all. See you back here in just a few days.