At this time of the year, many of us get out our Christmas trees or purchase a live evergreen tree.  We adorn it with decorations of angels, stars, lights, and other ornaments which we have carefully stored away to use from year to year.  Gifts are placed underneath the branches to share with those we love.  We remember the gift of God which He gave us of his only begotten Son, and know Jesus is the real reason for the season.  He gave his "all" that we might have eternal life.  We can go tell of Jesus and the good news of salvation for all men freely given by God.

When we decorate the Christmas tree, we should remember to think on the real reason for the season.  Jesus grew the tree which he knew would be the old rugged cross on which He would be lifted up at Calvary.  Although it was a dark day in history when he hung his head and said "It is finished," and then died; light broke forth on the third day when he arose in resurrection power.  By his sacrificial death and resurrection, we have been given light and life. 

The lights that shine brightly and encircle our tree can remind us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world who encircles us with his love.  We see a star on the top of many Christmas trees and think of Jesus, as He is the bright and morning star and shines down on us. The angels placed on our holiday trees as decorations are not worshipped, but remind us that a host of heavenly angels sang praises and rejoiced at the birth of our Lord.  They are also with us as we have ministering angels to watch over us each day.

The ornaments of a golden color remind us of our Lord and His Word which is as pure gold and more valuable than anything on this earth.  The green evergreen tree reminds us that Jesus is ever faithful, and never changes from season to season but is always the same.  His promises will remain forever.   As each branch is decorated, it reminds us we are referred to as branches of the Vine of the Lord, and he gives us his fruit of the Spirit to decorate our lives and glorify Him.

Several years ago I found an ornament which I think is the best one of all, and each year I now hang it on our tree to also remind us of the real meaning of this Season.  It is called, "the Christmas nail," and is not like the nails we see today; but is a large metal spike similar to what was used in the hands and feet of our Lord.  It is hung on the tree by a red ribbon which reminds us that the blood of Jesus streamed from his hands and feet down Calvary's tree as He hung there for us on that day.  Our young Granddaughter likes to find the Christmas nail on the tree as it represents the reason Jesus came to earth and was born to die for our sins.  There is no other ornament on our tree which has really held her attention except this one. and we explained the meaning of Jesus suffering for us on the cross.  We know it was not the nails that held our Savior to the tree, but it was love.  His suffering on the cross brought forth glory and beauty and the preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation.

We know the custom of the Christmas tree and other traditions we see did not originate with Christians or Saints of old, but Christians have set this day aside to share God's love with family, friends, and others to remember his Birth as the greatest in the history of mankind.  Many say or believe that having a decorated tree in the home at Christmas is a form or idol worship, but Christians do not worship the tree during this season.  We have other decorations in our homes during the year, but do not worship these either, and it is all a matter of the heart.

The tree referred to in the Bible as being decked with silver and gold was referring to an idol "god" which men had made for the purpose of worship, and not to what we see today.  Some also say we should not have statues, pictures of angels or of the Lord in our homes, because the Bible says to have no graven images.  However, the Bible says we should not make any idols or have any graven image, to bow down unto them.  We do not worship or bow down unto these, and also realize that a graven image also begins in one's imagination,  which is where the word originates.  Many have idols or false gods in their heart of which their heart bows to, and this is idol worship as much as bowing down to a statue with intent to worship it.  As one thinks in the heart, so is he.  We can see Christ and his beauty in all of God's creation as we open our hearts to his Word and will in our lives.

May we always remember the real meaning of Christmas as we see people seem to be happier during this Season than any other. Christmas is Christ in the heart all during the year.  There is a song which says, "why can't every day be like Christmas?"  We know with Christ in our lives and the joy he gives that we can have peace on earth and good will every day of our life.  Thanks to our Lord for coming to earth as a babe in a manger and for being willing to die on Calvary's tree for us.  The tomb is empty now and He lives forever.  As we look upon the bright lights and decorations, we do not worship them, but can remember we have the light of the world and there is no beauty like the beauty of our Lord.