O Christmas Tree

The Salt Family Christmas Tree 2010

This year Cathy and I had decided that we wouldn't put up a Christmas Tree. Family are not coming for Christmas and the gatherings we have planned are not until some time in January.  We thought there was no point in going to all the work of putting up a tree. Our decision lasted a few days and then we started to have second thoughts.  We have Chinese students who live with us and they were anxious to see all the North American customs and so we decided that we should go to the effort of putting up a tree.  It happened by stages - a bit today a bit the next day but eventually the tree was up and decorated.  I am glad that we did.  Once the tree was up we turned on the lights, drank a little egg nog and sat around feeling rather warm and fuzzy. There is something about the Christmas tree.  Its not that it is particularly "Christian."  In fact, there are many segments of Christianity that condemn the Christmas tree as a pagan symbol.  But in our society it is a symbol that unites the secular and the sacred.  The tree represents hope for the new year - a hope for new life. In my mind it also represents all that is family, love and peace on earth.  Although some would associate the tree with all the materialistic aspects of Christmas - presents and Santa Claus and all that, I associate it with peace a joy.  It represents life to me, and I know that life comes through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other.