Inspired by . . . a tree

Inspired by . . . a tree

I want to share with you some scenes from my friend's Christmas tree.  It's a beautiful tree, boasting over 700 ornaments. 

 

 

 

If we're comparing ourselves to Christmas trees, I want to be just like this one: warm, bright and joyful!

 

 

That's what our Pastor was doing yesterday; comparing us to Christmas trees.  I thought I'd share a few of his points with you.

 

You, me and the Christmas Tree...

Like the Christmas tree, we are picked (and placed).

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;" (Jer. 1:5)

"I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me." (Acts 26:16)

"You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful... All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old." (Ps. 139:13-16)

 

 

We were purchased.

"God brought you with a high price." (1 Cor. 6:20)

'[Jesus was] in all pointed tempted as we are, yet without sin.' (Heb. 4:15)

"He never sinned, but he died to bring you safely home to God." (1 Pet. 3:18)

 

Like us, the tree does not have the ability to purchase itself.

 

 

We are pruned.

"My Father is the gardener... He trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produces even more fruit." (Jn. 15:2)

"[Jesus] himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree..." (1 Pet. 2:24)

 

 

Through it all, He decorates us with the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Even more, He gives us gifts. Not only to keep, but to give to others who pass by.  The star is His word, the light unto our path. And angels hover above, ministering and watching over us.

Such a beautiful picture. 

There is one difference between us and the Christmas tree, though.  The tree doesn't have any say in the matter.  We do.

Stand tall and let Him do His work.

And when you're done kneeling at the manger this Christmas, walk over and kneel at the tree.

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

You can watch or listen to the entire sermon here:

Because of Bethlehem

 

 

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