Our littlest granddaughter loves to pick ornaments from our
tree. She will stand and look and fidget and talk and then plop one has been
taken in her sweet little hands. Of course this gets a rash of no no’s and don’t
do that’s! To which she responds in her baby talk “but I want that!” Sometimes
we miss the picking and find an ornament in the kitchen floor or behind a chair
later when she’s gone. Just like all children, she loves the shiny baubles and
unusual delights hanging. We have lots of lights on our tree as well so all the
ornaments shine.
While we like our trees to be merry and bright
representations of Christmas in our hearts, we really like the tree to stay
full of the things we put on its boughs. Imagine people coming into our homes
and going to the tree to pick an ornament and take it with them. Why we’d have
nothing left. Our tree would be bare. The things we cherish the most would be
gone.
Jesus is the Light and Savior of the world. He came and
filled the tree of our lives full of wonderful things. Priceless treasures we
can’t hope to have in our own meager means. Each facet of His life holds wonder
and awe. From the cross to the grave to heaven – He made the choice to give
Himself away so that we could have it all. And now He daily presents those
things to us as ornaments hang on the tree.
But the difference is, He says go ahead pick. Choose each
ornament. Take it home with you. Live with it. Display it. Shine it. Wear it.
But not just on your sweater, wear it in y our heart. Everything God has for us
is an object of the heart, for our good and for His glory. It shines, oh how it
shines – each and every gifted ornament that’s supposed to be worn by a
believer.
What do we see on the tree of life that Jesus has decorated
so beautifully? We see Salvation – choose it first, for unless you have that,
the other ornaments won’t even budge from the limbs. Choose reconciliation.
That’s one of the most beautiful ornaments of the Christian – for it reconciles
us to God and it reconciles us with others. Sanctification is another lovely
jewel – we must pick it for that’s our key to becoming heavenly minded. Then
there are the other wonders of the life in Christ: love, joy, peace, kindness,
gentleness, faithfulness and more. There is mercy and forgiveness and
righteousness as well! There is purpose – and oh how we all long to live a life
of purpose.
No child of God ever has to live in want of any of the
beautiful things God has. Even when life around you seems sorrowful, weary or lackluster,
the ornaments of the Christian life will warm your heart and keep your mind on
Him no matter what.
Oh beloved, go ahead! Run and pick every ornament God has
from His tree of life! It’s all yours for the taking. No holding back. No
waiting in line. No wondering if you’ll be scolded. Everything is freely given
and never runs out. Open up God’s book of love and see what all He
has waiting for you, just for the taking to the heart that belongs fully to
Him. While sorrow, sadness and pain can be a huge part of the holiday season,
Christ is the reason for Christmas and Christmas can be enjoyed fully with awe
and wonder as we look to the One Who loves us unconditionally and watches over us
with uninterrupted care.
Jesus desires that your arms and heart are full of His
wonder and His joy as you live in the light of His Word.
Romans 6:23b …the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us
everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him
who called us by His own glory and excellence.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus,
who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and
redemption…
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly
places in Christ
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