Written by The Apostle John writes in his Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).
Yet as Joseph and his betrothed made the arduous journey from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, to be registered in the census of Caesar Augustus, there was the specter of darkness looming in the background. For it was not enough for God to merely visit us in the flesh; from time immemorial, the Christ child was born to lay down his life in willing obedience to the Father, a sacrifice of love for our sins, that by faith we would be rescued from death and receive adoption as sons and daughters. Only through the shedding of innocent blood, by the sacrifice of the lamb who was slain for the sins of the world, could salvation be bought.
The Apostle Peter thus describes Christ’s work of perfect obedience this way: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
It is impossible for us to think about Christmas without thinking of Christmas trees. The question for most Christians is not so much whether they will get a Christmas tree, but whether to get a real tree or an artificial one.
As realistic as fake trees may look these days, I must say that my preference still lies with the real thing There is just something about a real Christmas tree that evokes the feeling of the Christmas season, from the look of the tree to its smell, to the texture of the needles when you place ornaments upon its branches.
There is also the entire experience of picking out a Christmas tree that comes with it: going to a tree farm, if you don’t get pre-cut; deciding which type of tree to buy (Spruce or fir tree? Firm needles or soft?); endlessly deliberating between two trees which look nearly identical; and finally, having the tree cut down to bring it home.
When we choose a tree and cut it down, the tree dies – it is cut off from its roots, and it falls to the ground. But when we take it home and bring it inside, it receives new life. We place it in a stand and give it water. We put the tree in a place of prominence in our home, and adorn it with decorations, displaying it proudly. When Christmas comes, we gather before it with our families to exchange gifts. No matter how many imperfections or dead spots we observed at the tree farm, the fully dressed Christmas tree never fails to shine with dignity on Christmas Day.
Beloved, let the Christmas tree stand as a reminder for us that the Nativity cradle cannot be separated from the Cross.
Perhaps the most iconic transformation of a Christmas tree is the “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree. We all know the story: Charlie Brown decides to pick out a tree for the set of his play to give it more Christmas spirit. So, he goes with Linus to the tree stand, groans in disgust at all the different colored aluminum trees, and decides to pick out the smallest, saddest twig of a tree.
He was fed up with the empty consumerism all around him and the selfishness of his friends; here, Charlie Brown saw the spirit of Christmas, that even a tree so humble and frail could become something beautiful.
Of course, Charlie Brown is mocked for bringing back a tiny, sad-looking Christmas tree. Exasperated, Charlie asks loudly if anybody knows the true meaning of Christmas. The mood changes after Linus takes the stage to recite the annunciation of the angels to the shepherds in chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel:
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’”
Luke 2:8-14
In the end, that small, most humble tree, which was thought dead, was given new life and ultimately shone in majesty.
Beloved, let the Christmas tree stand as a reminder for us that the Nativity cradle cannot be separated from the Cross. For that humble, innocent baby lying in a manger would one day bear our sins in his body on a tree, that first Christmas tree which stood on Calvary’s hill.
God in Christ Jesus purposely chose to enter creation not as an earthly king, but in the form of a most humble servant. From the moment his birth in the squalor of a cave, Jesus’ earthly life would be oriented toward his willing sacrifice on that first tree, the cross, to die and rise again to eternal glory.
Just as the Christmas tree is cut down at the harvest, and just as the Romans cut the wood and fashioned the crucifix, so was our Savior cut down in ultimate humility – though his life was not taken from Him but given up willingly in love – his blessed Passion and his perfect sacrifice made once for all upon the Cross.
And just as the Christmas tree is adorned in splendor after the harvest, so did our savior conquer death by His mighty Resurrection, rising from the grave and robed in light, and ascending into heaven, promising to come again in glorious majesty. For what was once an instrument of death, a tree of sacrifice, now stands as the tree of New Life – adorned not with any star at the top, but with Christ the King, Christus Rex, who wears the crown of eternal glory. And the gift upon that tree is the only gift that matters – the gift of eternal life. By faith, we can gather before that first Christmas tree as adopted sons and daughters to share in that glorious gift.
This is the decision Christmas presents to us: What will you do with the Christ child? Will you put Him away when you pack up your Nativity scene next month? Will you forget about His sacrifice on the tree when you go home and take down your tree? Or will you follow that baby in the manger when He is grown, to the foot of the cross, where the gift of eternal life is to be found?
As Meister Eckhart, a German Catholic theologian and mystic of the 13th and 14th centuries once said, “What good is it that Christ was born thousands of years ago, if he isn’t born in your hearts right now?”
May we never let a Christmas go by without giving and receiving this most important Christmas gift; May we be found with Mary treasuring this gift in our hearts; And when the Christ comes again with healing in his wings, may we be found with Mary at the foot of the first Christmas tree, our souls also pierced by the sword, yet rejoicing at all which is being made new.
“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the whole earth” (Psalm 96:1). Hail, the Sun of Righteousness. Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! The Word is very near to us indeed. May the Incarnate Christ bless you and your families and transform our hearts this Christmas.