I never had Christmas tree even I celebrate Christmas Day every year. Some people say, Christmas has no meaning if there’s none. For the Eastern, Christmas is still a Christmas even there is no such tree. But for the Western, it has been a tradition to have one even they don’t believe in Jesus Christ. Christmas Day has been a general celebration for all regardless believers or non-believers. Growing up with the absence of this tree, I don’t bother to know why they need such tree to make the celebration even more meaningful. Christmas day is all about the birth of Jesus. However, living with people from all kinds of background I am always bombarded with question. I remember one asking me of Christmas tree but unfortunately I fail to reason him. It has no meaning, just for fun. That’s all I could say to them.
Today, I regret how I reacted back then. I guess it can’t be help at all cause I really have no idea why one should have Christmas tree to celebrate Christmas. I am completely failed to relate the tree and the birth of Jesus. I keep on asking myself but never really search for answer until God finally show it to me. I was once sitting in my brother’s room reading a book. I paused for a while when I saw old pieces of newspaper on the table. Actually, I’d noticed it before but I just ignore it for I want to finish my reading. Somehow, I was moved to read it and something caught my attention.“Christmas tree and evangelisation”
A Christmas tree is only a normal green tree growing in the dark thick forest before it finally turns into something so stunning and glowing with decorations all over it. During Christmas day, human will go find and choose the best tree they could find and back at home, they will decorate it with all kinds of decoration. Finally, a new tree is formed. Its beauty now amazes everyone who looks at it. Just like the tree that grows in the thick forest, human are so. Before Jesus Christ came, human live in darkness. A life far away from God, never knew the abundance love and grace of Him. All they know was this god who needs sacrifice to calm his anger so that they people could be saved. They must obey the law to be saved as if god is always angry or unless, one should be prepared for punishment.
Jesus brings a whole new world when He was born. Human finally reconciled with God. There’s no more barrier that separate human and God or separation between the Jews and Gentiles. There’s no more angry god but a loving God that no matter how many sins one did, God is still there waiting for him to come back so faithfully. I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4: 16) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5: 18-19) It’s just because of some people that misunderstand the loving God that finally lead everyone astray. I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. (John 8:41, 42, 44) And the biggest difference, God now is a Father. For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)
The birth of Jesus Christ marks the new beginning of the world, reconciliation between a child and a father. People were brought out of from darkness and slavery. Just like the tree that was brought out from the darkness of the thick forest, now its beauty shines and fills the house with joy and fun. It’s same when one live in Jesus, life will never be the same again. Life will shine with joy and hope no matter how great the tribulation is. And of course, spending time together to decorate the tree is one way to spend time with the family we love.
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