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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Christmas Tree (10/09/08)
    Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE" -- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14)
According to the University of Illinois Extension, "Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850. Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest. In 2002, Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington, New York, and Virginia were the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon was the leading producer of Christmas trees – 6.5 million in 2002."1

Christmas trees have long been associated with Christianity. One of the earliest writings about Christmas tree dates back to the year 722 in Germany, which tells of a Saint Boniface who has met some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child in worship to a huge oak tree. In wanting to prevent the sacrifice, Saint Boniface cut down the tree and was surprised to find a fir tree sprung up from its roots. On seeing the evergreen tree pointing up to the heaven and the child saved from pagan sacrifice, Saint Boniface took it as a sign of the Christian faith, a symbol of Christ's great sacrifice and His promise of eternal life.2

Today, many households celebrate Christmas with decorated Christmas trees, and what these trees symbolize will bear different meanings to different people. Some may see the Christmas tree as a symbol representing the gifts of joy and gladness, others may think of it as a preparation for the coming of Santa and his reindeers, few however will ever understand or comprehend the price that was paid by One who sacrificed His all to be hung on a tree, the Cross, to save us all.

Let us all therefore know and understand the true meaning of the tree of the One who sacrificed His life to bring us Christmas joy, blessings and glad tidings. It is this tree, the Cross, that the curse of the Law was removed that everyone who receives Jesus as Lord and believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life.

O how much it pains the One to see sinners lost, to love us so much as to give us His all, in coming down from heaven to save the earth and to redeem us all. Jesus alone is the One, and without Him, there is no Christmas, no blessing or salvation for the world, nor the indwelling of the Holy Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13-14). He is the One who had come down from heaven to earth, the Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is Almighty God.

    To him who overcomes, I [Jesus] will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7b)
Thank you Lord for redeeming us from the curse of the Law and for taking upon Yourself to be hung on a tree, the Cross, for our sakes, in order that we may receive Your salvation by grace, and the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit in us. Grant us Lord to see the Christmas tree as a symbol of Your love and of Your great sacrifice for us that we may understand and comprehend the price You have paid to give us eternal life.

Note: All Scriptural references in this article are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
1 University of Illinois Extension, Christmas Trees & More (Accessed October 11, 2008).
2 Christmas Tree Farm Network, Traditions: Christmas Trees and Ornaments (Accessed October 11, 2008) ; AllAboutGOD.com, Origin of the Christmas Tree (Accessed October 11, 2008).
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 1726 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
10/18/08
There is a lot of good research in this very informative essay!
Laury Hubrich 
10/19/08
Thank you for intertwining our present day use of Christmas trees to the death of Jesus on the cross. Nice work here.
Joanne Sher 
10/19/08
I learned a lot here! Love how you tie this to Christ on the cross. Good job.
Celeste Ammirata
10/20/08
Thank you for this informative entry about the symbolism of the Christmas Tree. Interesting reading. Must have taken you some time. Thanks again. God Bless
Ellen Dodson
10/20/08
You used a most appropriate Scripture verse to start your devotional. Your writing voice reveals much love for Jesus and lost people. I did notice some tense shifts in the beginning, and I'm assuming the italicized parts are prayers. Overall, nice job! : )
Norma-Anne Hough
10/22/08
Lots of hard work went into this lovely devotional. Thanks for bringing us back to the cross.
Blessings,
Norms
Leah Nichols 
10/23/08
Excellent devotional! Nice work.