Around 10 years ago I began to tell my Grandson Ryan, who then was 5 years old about how when I was his age we always had a cedar for a Christmas tree and how to this day the smell of a cedar tree reminded me of Christmas growing up as a child at home. So, we decided to go Christmas tree hunting and find that special little tree to bring inside and decorate it to bring back childhood memories for me and let him get a glance of how Christmas was at my age.
So, we take to the woods like a real adventure. I showed him what a cedar was so he could pick it out. Well, before long we came to one that caught Ryan’s eye. I said "are you sure this is the one? He assured me that this would be our Christmas tree. I must admit it wasn’t the prettiest one I ever saw, it was rather scrawny and really sick looking but, just the same he had the honor of picking it out.
We decided to dig it up and place it in a container of dirt and when Christmas was over we could plant it outside and maybe use it next Christmas. We brought it in my study, trimmed it up a little and placed lights and decorations on it and placed it on a small table. It stood a little over 2 feet tall. It wasn’t the prettiest Christmas tree I ever saw but, to us it was great. When Christmas was over we took it outside and planted it back in the ground close to my home and each year Ryan and I put new lights on it to burn through Christmas. Today that little tree is over 12 feet tall and doing well, strong and healthy.
If we plant God’s word into the hearts of our children and grandchildren, place the real Christmas story into their hearts at a young age it will take root and never leave them.
The Bible says in Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
We can only sow the seeds of God’s word, it’s God who does the planting. We can only tell others what God can do for those that believe. Its God who draws them in by the Holy Spi-rit, its God who saves through Jesus Christ our Lord and gives gifts to all that believe.
What Ryan and I did for that little cedar Christmas tree is an example of what God did for us? Found us withered and dying from our sin. He came to us when nobody else would and loved us enough to give us a home with Him one day. He sees something in each of us that no one else can see. He gives us life of what the Bible calls more abundant.
He came as baby Jesus, grew to a man and gave Himself for us. He gave us light in darkness. He took a crown of thorns and gave us the crown of life eternal. He is building our future home, eternal home in a place called Heaven. It’s given by God for the asking.
Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas and bless each one of you and your family this Christmas.
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com