Thursday, November 30, 2006

CHRISTMAS TREES

An English Missionary, later known as St. Boniface, was the first person we know to have used the pine tree as a Christian symbol. He used it to illustrate the Trinity. One day he came upon some pagans worshipping an OAK tree and reacted in anger. He cut down the tree and legend has it that a pine tree grew from the stump of the oak. {I'm not sure that we believe the legend, but the thoughts from this are that from death would come new EVERLASTING life}.


For many Christians the Christmas tree has become a symbol of the Trinity, everlasting life and Christ's purpose on earth. The tree points to God - as we should point others to God. The tree is evergreen as the life Christ gives us is EVERLASTING. The branches on the tree reach out as Jesus reached out to others. Christ died on a tree. Remembering the purpose for which the babe in the manger was given only deepens our celebration of the incredible gift in our lives that He is.


In our family we had the great "tree topper" debate for years. I wanted an angel. Mike wanted a star. Years ago I began to listen as Mike prayed at ceremonies about the "babe born in the shadow of a cross". This struck a chord in me. For years now, we've placed a crown of thorns at the top of our tree. This reminds us that while we celebrate His birth, He came with a purpose - and Praise God He fulfilled that purpose.


Here are Arielle and Nolan's thoughts on Christmas Trees: (this may serve as an illustration of how you can teach the same thing to different ages and they'll glean what is age appropriate LOL)


The Christmas Tree - Nolan
Winifred (St Boniface) was an English
missionary. He said the top is Dad,
the bottom son and the other side is
the Holy Spirit.

The tree points to heaven.

The branches of the tree stick out
Like Jesus’ arms did when he
was on the cross.

We put a crown of thorns on top
of our tree, because that is the crown
that Jesus wore when he was
crucified.


~*~*~*
The Christmas Tree - Arielle
Winifred (St Boniface) was an English
missionary. He used the pine tree
to show the trinity – one tree,
three corners. One God – Father,
Son and Spirit at the points.

The top of the tree points to
Heaven and God.

The branches reach out to other
like Jesus does.

Jesus died on a tree – so we can
remember that He came to die
for us.
Booklets we've made so far




2 comments:

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

FRAGRANCE....as the pine smell tells everyone that the tree is a pine...our fragrance should immediately tell everyone that we belong to God...hadn't thought of that earlier...but we have had an artifical tree for years. I walked by a real tree and thought "I LOVE that smell". LOL

Anonymous said...

Nolan/Arielle: WOW! What beautiful things you have written about the Christmas tree.

Think we will print your work, frame it like we did Bre & Krista's drawings many years ago and have it all out with our nativities and decorations at Christmas from now on.

PTL for your good thoughts. Proud of you both.

l/p