Oh wait – there is no snow and very little dashing. The sleigh is an enclosed black SUV and hopefully there will be lots of laughter. Our youngest daughter, son-in-law and three young grandchildren are coming today for Thanksgiving dinner and a time of decorating for Christmas.
You remember I told you earlier in the week about our Christmas tree cutting adventure last weekend with our oldest daughter and son-in-love. Well, said tree has stood stately through the week and will be the center of attention this afternoon.
I’ve been looking at pictures of our Christmas trees from years past. Some have been quite stately. They have stood strong through many years of cold snowy winters and warm sunny summers. Others were a bit more lean, having a flat side with short little branches because they grew too close to another tree and their growth was stunted.
Each tree had its own beauty and charm. Each tree had grown from a small seed that fell from the pinecone years before we had come. Each tree was a testament to God’s recreative power, and each tree took us to nature, God’s beauty and reminded us of His love.
Thinking about those trees, their imperfections, and their beauty, I was reminded that we are like those trees. We all have our own little quirks and characteristics, but we are all a creation of beauty designed by the Master Creator, our Heavenly Father.
“Let the gift of undeserved grace and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV
Maybe you are a Charley Brown tree or maybe you are majestic like the tree in Rockefeller Plaza. Just let your light shine and bring joy into the lives of those around you.
“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV
As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas we’ll be oohing and awing over Christmas lights and decorations. Busy baking goodies and doing some final shopping. Making special gifts and most of all making memories.
Memories, hopefully, that are centered around Christ and His amazing love for each of us.
Let others see that you are God’s workmanship, created by Him to do good.