The First Day of Christmas: The Christmas Tree

Ok, so maybe when i said in the last post that prt. two was "coming soon," I was wrong. Writing about ministry is alot of, well, learning first. Today's post is actually not prt. two of ministry; today is the first day of Christmas! So here's some encouragement for you on the "first day of Christmas"....

~The Christmas Tree~

A Christmas tree..... so pretty, delicate, and beautiful, standing daintily upright in a warm family's living room. In the backround,  a small family laughs at past Christmas memories as they happily sip hot chocolate. They are all wrapped in blankets snugly, making the impression of a caterpillar in a chrysalis. They decorated the Christmas tree last night, adorning her with hand-made paper ornaments. Christmas is coming soon, and the children are excited to see the looks on their parents faces when they open the presents.

Decorating the Christmas tree is a tradition in my family, and I always enjoy it. The Christmas tree brings unity to my family and community. But the Christmas tree can also be used as a metaphor.

Yes, the Christmas tree is a symbol of unity. The unity among this wonderful family of Christ. The star at the top represents Christ, the head of all of us. The body of the tree represents the church as a whole. Then, of course, we must include the ornaments! The ornaments that dangle peacefully off the branches represents our individual, blooming hearts, as we are the branches of Christ. {John 15:5~ I am the vine, ye are the branches...} I encourage you to take the time to open your Bible and read John 15; It's a wonderful chapter, and much of the inspiration for this post. The tinsel or ribbon that we wrap around the tree represents the Word of God, which binds us all together!

Now, I have been reading alot about bearing fruit as a branch of Christ. We have a choice to be empty, as Israel was, bearing fruit to ourselves, but not profiting us at all, for we only bring on our destruction {Hosea 10:1-2~ Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land the have make goodly images. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.} {John 15:2a}

We also have the option of bearing fruit, being radiant for Christ. I will be posting on that the second day of Christmas {tomorrow :) } In the meantime, read John 15!