A Tale of Two Trees

The beauty of our Christmas trees that adorn our home during the season is well...sometimes almost magical.    

And yet, our focus is sometimes more on those particular trees each each year, then on the one that would be used to hold the body of our slain Savior, once He grew up to die for our sins. 

That tree was not magical. It was cruel, and is horrid to our imaginations as we contemplate it each Easter. 

This next story comes from  O Christmas Tree and the tree that we must not leave out of our holiday, is the one most important. It was not meant to be surrounded by the bright packages that are piled under them, but instead it speaks of a time when the blood of a precious Savior would hang on it, for everyone that could believe in how it came to be. Read on...

O Christmas Tree

My family loved the moment when we sat in darkness before its light.

Each year my children would hound me about when it was going to happen; they would commiserate with one another about how big it would be. We would load them into the car and go to the place we always went to pick out our family Christmas tree.

After weighing everyone’s opinions, we would decide, tie the tree to the roof of our car, and make our way home. That night we would decorate our tree together as a family. After we adorned the tree with splendor, we would turn off all the lights, amazed as it shone brightly in the darkness.

I love these kinds of moments because I think as believers, we should be the most celebratory community on earth. We know all the good things that we enjoy and all the family love we experience are sweet and undeserved gifts from our Heavenly Father.

But I am concerned that we remember—and that we help our family remember—that while this beautiful holiday season is about a tree, it’s not about the decorated tree in your living room that you’ve so carefully adorned.

From the moment of his first breath, the life of that baby in the manger was marching toward a tree. It would not be a tree of beauty or celebration but of sacrifice and death. It would not stand in someone’s home as part of a seasonal tradition but would be outside the city walls on a hill of execution. unity on earth. celebration but of sacrifice and death. It would not stand in someone’s home as part of a seasonal tradition but would be outside the city walls on a hill of execution. 

That baby wouldn’t stand before his tree and smile at its beauty but would be tortured on it, nailed between convicts. That tree on the hill was not a symbol of a season but an instrument of judgment. On that seemingly hopeless hill, that tree of death gave life and hope to humanity.

The Advent season tells a story that will take your breath away. It’s a story about inescapable need, a glorious incarnation, a substitutionary life, an atoning sacrifice, and a victorious resurrection. Only God could write such a story, and only God could complete the plot.

It’s a story meant to amaze us, humble us, capture us, rescue us, transform us, and cause us to live in wonder and worship. This story provides the only way you can make sense out of your identity and your real need. This story reveals where hope is to be found and points you to the meaning and purpose of your existence.

I have no problem with the seasonal stories of sleds, snowmen, gifts, and goodies. Nor do I stand in opposition to singing silly seasonal songs. What I am concerned about is that in the midst of such excitement decorating our Christmas tree, we forget about the Cross.

Make your Advent conversation about a tree, but not the one in your living room. Talk about how that baby in the manger came not to decorate a tree, but to hang on it for your salvation. Remind yourself and your family that in a world darkened by sin, that tree of sacrifice and salvation shines as a light of eternal hope that will never, ever go out.

God bless

Paul David Tripp

The Tale of Two Trees, is not a tale at all. Sadly, we have allowed the truth of the cross be covered over with the beautiful trees that we bring into our homes and take over our season of joy that had been meant to be with the birth of Jesus. We have allowed the government to take out the meaning it was meant for us as Christians. We have allowed for the glitter of it become more important then what it was originally meant to be. 

I agree with Paul David Tripp, that I am not opposed to the celebrations that we enjoy. But, I too believe that those are not the important reasons for real celebrations because those things will one day pass away. However, the reasons for the cross that held our Savior will never pass away and then where will each of us be? 

Will it be too late for you? For me? I pray not. 

So while you can, enjoy the reason for the season, but remember the True Reason for the Season, because He will last forever!

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him…” – John 1:9-10

Thanks for coming by today, Have a joyful and blessed day!