Will you join me today around my virtual Christmas tree? Let’s have a look at its shiny ornaments.
Here’s a little donkey passing by a waving palm branch. We picture mother Mary, great with child, astride a donkey carrying her to Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. Even more, this humble animal carried Jesus into Jerusalem one day long ago. (Matthew 21:5 - “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”)
Next we see a coin. We read of wise men visiting the boy Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This silver coin, though, is a rather a terrible reminder that Judas was paid to betray Jesus. (Matthew 27:3 - "When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, He was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.")
And this branch over here holds, of all things, a washcloth. Jesus used a simple cloth to wash His disciples’ feet at their last Passover celebration, teaching them a valuable lesson about serving others. (John 13:14 – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”)
On this next branch, we find a beautiful ornament shaped like a loaf of bread and a cup. Jesus taught the Jews that He is the bread that came down from heaven. This ornament is a powerful reminder of the Last Supper, a meal that from antiquity foreshadowed Jesus…the Passover Lamb who came to take away the sins of the world. (Luke 22:15 - "And He said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.'”)
Over here is an elegant ornament in the shape of praying hands. I’m reminded of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane, deeply grieved with sorrow from the weight of the world’s sin. (Matthew 26:38-39 - “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”)
This bit of leather strap draped over a lovely evergreen bough seems out of place for a season such as this! It’s ugly and brutal looking! Yes it is…for it’s a reminder that Jesus was stripped and beaten, punished for the sins of all who would be reconciled to God. In the fullness of time He was sent, the only One who could accomplish this. (Isaiah 53:5 - "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.")
And there on another Christmas branch is the cross itself, that cruel instrument of death. Jesus was crucified, paying the ultimate price for my sin and yours. We escaped the penalty thanks to His sacrifice on our behalf. But I’ve hung the Cross Victorious on my tree! It’s an empty cross, because death and the grave could not hold Him! (John 11:25 - "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.'”)
The dice over on that side of the tree is a reminder that the Roman soldiers played a game in the presence of a tortured, dying Man, gambling for His clothes. (Mark 15:24 - "And they crucified Him. Dividing up His clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.")
That awful-looking spear over there reminds me that those same soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, to quicken His death and get the job done before sundown. (John 19:34-37 - "…one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: 'Not one of His bones will be broken,' and, as another Scripture says, 'They will look on the One they have pierced.'”)
Sunset was the beginning of the Jews’ Sabbath. A little linen cloth draped over this next branch recalls that Jesus’ body was quickly wrapped for burial. (Luke 23:50-52 - "Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.")
That hard, gray stone weighing heavily on the branch over there symbolizes a much larger stone, the one that sealed the tomb where Jesus was laid. (Matthew 27:59-60 - "Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.")
And finally, look at this beautiful, hollowed out stone that represents the empty tomb! On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead and resurrection life was assured for you, me, and all who believe on the Name of Christ the Lord. Hallelujah and Amen! (John 20:15-16) "He asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking He was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher.)"
Christmas happened so that ultimately, each of us can experience our own Resurrection Day! This little meditation might seem uncomfortable, out of place for the season of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at noses. But here’s the truth: Jesus was born into our finite human existence to reconcile us, to bring us into right relationship with the living God! Amidst the hustle, bustle and chaos of a world buried in non-essentials, may a good portion of this season be, for us, one of quiet reflection and thanksgiving, a celebration of the truest and most basic gift of Christmas. And may each of us be instrumental in spreading the Good News!
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." - Philippians 1:9-11