At night when you drive around you are able to see into people's houses and look at their Christmas trees. Some of the trees are filled with homemade decorations while others are fancy and themed. My favorite part of any Christmas tree is the top. The ornament which is placed on top of the tree is the most important part of the tree, the icing on the cake. Some trees have bows with long ribbons streaming down, others have a star, or an angel, and still others nothing at all. Growing up my family always had an angel on top, I called it the "Wendy Angel". Julia and I however have done something different. We did not place a bow on the top, or a star, or an angel
On the top of our tree is a crown of thorns with real thorns from Israel! I know what you are thinking, "What?" "A crown of thorns, why?" The crown of thorns may not be as pretty as an angel, or as elegant as a star, however, the crown of thorns remindes Julia and I in the midst of this special time of the year the true meaning of Christmas. In the hussel and bussel of shopping, Chrismas parties, making Christmas cookies, finals in Grad. School, and Julia's Christmas play. The crown of thorns reminds us that the true meaning for the season is the birth of a baby. The true meaning of the season is the birth of the God-man Jesus Christ who would save His elect from their sins. Galatians 4:4-5 says, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." The crown of thorns on top of the tree remindes Julia and I of God's humbel life here on this Earth and His horrible death which was needed to satisfy the wrath of God.This holiday season amidst all of the hussel and bussel take time and remember the true meaning of the season. The true meaning is not found in finding the perfect present, making the best Christmas cookies, or having the tackiest Christmas sweater, rather the true meaning is the birth of a baby. A baby who would save us from slavery and make us sons and daughters of God.
AMEN! Praise God!
ReplyDeleteThe best part of Christmas is that modern culture has obscured the superstitious, antiquated parts of the day. I feel warm and fuzzy every time I hear someone say, "Happy Holidays".
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd to me that the one time you have to rejoice about birth and renewal you would choose to hang the grim reminder of the crazy dogma attached to the holiday over your heads.
That baby that you mention doesn't save us from slavery but forces us into it. According to this baby's daddy, A human sacrifice was made for me without my consultation and now I'm forced to obey or face eternal punishment. No thank you.
Also, I don't support any parent who would take their "wrath" out on their own children.
That said, have a good holiday season or Merry Christmas. I will light a kinara in your honor.