The Tree Planted

I woke up this morning and there it was.  The Christmas tree that we planted yesterday in the front yard is tucked over in a beautifully vacant corner where it can be seen and enjoyed and remembered clearly from the perspective of our living room windows.  It is green and fresh and unique in its ragged and full shape and it looks like it belongs in that corner.

After a season that encompasses some of the extremes of life, highlighting both the abundance and the empty, that tree brings hope to me.  It seems fitting for this new year and it embraces many different strands of meaning.  From ancient times evergreen trees have been symbols of renewal and enduring life.  For early Christians they symbolized the reality of God's redeeming and ongoing faithful love to us.  Often we identify ourselves with trees, digging our roots deeply into the soil of life around us.  Our tree is a Noble Fir and brings added meaning of magnificence, integrity and courage.  This particular tree that we have affectionately called the Jon-a-gold tree speaks of our open embrace  to the newest family addition of another son-to-be.

As I consider our tree today I am encouraged.  Just as we carefully considered where to plant the tree, I am reminded that God has chosen just the right spot for me to be planted.  I am really just one tree among many, but still, like our tree, I am special and right for my unique spot.  As I begin a new year, I want to rest in my place, letting my roots settle and grow and allowing the richness of this place to give me life.  Growth takes time, but if I look carefully I will see new fronds of light green sprout over this next year.  I hope these will reflect noble qualities of the fruits of God's life-giving spirit in me:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control and gentleness.  The tree also reminds me that there is always room for another special person in our lives and inspires me to welcome and encourage those new trees growing, including others in our garden as they come our way.

I welcome the new year symbolized  by this new tree in our midst.  My prayer today is for the hope of green  life and newness growing in the hearts of all!  Happy New Year and much love to each special and unique person in this garden of life.