Oh Tanenbaum

Thadd and I attended a Christmas Eve service at Thadd’s old church, Church of the Redeemer and learned something about the Christmas tree that I wanted to share with everyone.¬? A Christmas tree is often thought of as a secular symbol of Christmas, but in fact it is a Christian symbol.¬? How is that?¬? Well, I thought you might ask so here’s the explanation we heard during the sermon on Christmas Eve.

When Adam and Eve sinned and took all of humanity with them, what did they do that they were not supposed to do?¬? They ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil which is the only tree that God told them not to touch (it’s amazing how things look so much better after we’re told we can’t touch it – we just spent a week with my 4 nephews and believe me, they love to do things they know they aren’t supposed to do – total depravity at work!)¬? So the fall of humanity into sin started with a tree….

What pulled humanity out of that sin so that man might have eternal life in heaven?¬? Jesus Christ’s death on the cross (AKA a tree) who was the only perfect sacrifice that could be a propitiation for our sin therefore clothing us in righteousness so that we might glorify God and enjoy him forever.¬? So the end of judgement for our sins started with a tree…

Now, onto the Tanenbaum – what is a christmas tree?¬? Well, it generally is an Evergreen (assuming it isn’t fake) with lights and a star (or angel) on top.¬? This Christmas tree symbolizes the eternal life (since it is always green) we have in Christ.¬? We use it to celebrate Christ’s birth so that he might accomplish his life’s work – to die on the Cross for you and for me.¬? The sap in the tree symbolizes Christ’s blood that was poured out for our sin, cleansing us of all unrighteousness.¬? The lights symbolize Christ’s light in darkness – one might even think of Christians all over the world praising God when they see the smattering of lights on their tree.¬? The star on top symbolizes that star that brought the wise men from afar to worship the one and only true God.¬? If an angel is used instead, it is a symbol for the angel that brought shepherds to worship God.¬? The Christmas tree is not a secular symbol in the least – it is an awesome symbol of who Christ is and what he has done for us.

In past Christmases, I have thought that it wasn’t worth putting up a tree.¬? Now that I have a better perspective on what the tree symbolizes, I look forward to setting one up in following years so that during the whole Christmas season, it might be a constant reminder of God’s love for me which will cause me to fall to my knees and worship this amazing Saviour who has given me eternal life.

We pray that you had a blessed Christmas and a very happy New Year!

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