December 10th by: Larry Baker

The R-U-RDY theme helps me remember that as innovation and technology continue to boggle my understanding, the centuries old message of Advent is never out of date. The world has changed in so many ways, just since this century began. It is hard to even imagine how much it has changed in the last 2,000 plus years.

I once met a woman who had moved from Kansas to California in a Conestoga wagon. She said the children walked alongside the wagons so in reality she walked. In days before roads and with limited trails, families made the trek from one coast to the other searching for a new and better life. As they moved from one area to another, they brought their faith traditions with them. Some of the activities we observe this season were introduced to us by those ancestors. They in turn learned them from their ancestors. So as we observe Advent, we continue the traditions that began centuries ago.

An advent devotional that I have often used during my ministry centers on the Christmas tree. There are many opinions about whether a Christmas tree is a valid Christian symbol or just a worldly marker of the season. I personally appreciate those who introduced the Christmas tree to our celebrations as the tree reminds me of many things which point me to Christ.

• The Christmas tree is usually an evergreen which reminds me of the eternal life Jesus promises.
• The tree is most often triangular in shape reminding me of the Holy Trinity.
  The branches represent the safe haven God provides as we rest in God’s presence and promises.
• The lights on the tree are reminders of Christ being the light of the world.
  The colors of the lights have meaning in that red represents the blood Christ shed for us; blue represents the night he was born; green is for the earth God created and came to save; and yellow represents the sun and stars, evidence of God’s greatness and provision.
• The tinsel and ornaments reflect the lights on the tree and remind us that we are to be reflections of Christ’s light to the world around us.
• An angel on top of the tree again reminds us of that glorious Bethlehem night when angels sang and shepherds came to worship their new king. Or if there is a star on top, it reminds us not only of the night but also of the Wise Men who followed the star.
• The gifts under the tree remind me of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh brought to the infant Jesus by the Magi. These gifts were appropriate for a king, a prophet and a priest.
  

I don’t know your family traditions of Advent and Christmas trees, but as you reflect on this season I hope you will look at Christmas trees wherever you encounter them and remember their beauty is best enjoyed when it points you to the birth of the Messiah.

Merry Christmas,

Larry Baker