Three Things

 “I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” (Maya Angelou)

 Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. ... It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree.[i] Chances are this holiday season that the centerpiece of your Christmas decorations inside your home has been your Christmas tree (whether it’s live or artificial) covered in lights and all kinds of ornaments (some bought from a store and others that have personal meaning to your family). On Christmas Day (today), you’ll find a variety of presents underneath your decorated tree.

In Ray Boltz’s song, “The Perfect Tree, it becomes apparent that the perfect tree did not become noticeable during a Christmas celebration.  Do you know where I am going with this post? Read the lyrics below, and see if you were right.

The ornaments are ready
The place has been prepared
Strings of lights and holly
Are draped across the chair
The family's all together
I know where they must be
Everyone is searching
For the perfect tree

Chorus
The perfect tree
Grew very long ago
And it was not decked with silver
Or with ornaments of gold
But hanging from its branches
Was a gift for you and me
Jesus laid His life down
On the perfect tree

Mother wants a straight one
The children want it tall
Dad just hopes that somehow
He can get it down the hall
Soon they'll gather round it
As proud as they can be
But when they're looking at it
I wonder if they see

Chorus

With all the celebrations
Sometimes the truth is lost
That every step this baby took
Brought Him closer to the cross

Chorus (Twice)

There is one thing your heavenly Father wants you to keep in mind now on Christmas Day and later (in the New Year, 2021) as you put it into practice. This reminder is found in Matthew 6:33 (ICB): The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you. God bless you.

 

Merry Christmas 2020

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[i] Taken from the article, “History of Christmas Trees” by History.com