Wilted Christmas Trees

One of our family traditions is to make hot-chocolate the day after Thanksgiving and pile into our mini-van to hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. We figure that if we get there first, then we can get the best tree...one that is fresh and one that will make all of our neighbors oooh and aaaah!

This year was no exception. We stopped by a couple of the fancy tree places which dot the desolate parking lots of our suburban landscape only to find out that their trees were beautiful but way too expensive. With that knowledge firmly in place, we dropped by Lowe's to find a parking lot full of wonderful and fairly inexpensive 7-8' Frasier Firs. We were prepared with our pocket knives (knowing that many of the best trees would still be wound up in twine) and we dove right into the seemingly unending piles of fresh smelling, deep green Christmas trees. After about 45 minutes of comparing and discarding we finally agreed on a massive seven foot tree that was the heaviest tree of its size. It was so thick that you could not possibly see through the tree, and the sap was so abundant that my hands turned brown and sticky before I even got the monster to the register. Surely this tree would last for the season...with freshness to spare.

Within about two weeks, our tree began to change. The crisp limbs with their lush needles began to sag and the needles began to rain down on our carpet and presents like the lake effect snow in Buffalo, New York. Our "freshly" cut tree abruptly stopped drinking water, and our family silently watched as our glorious masterpiece began to look more like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree than the one that we so carefully chose on that cool November evening at Lowe's.

As I watched this whole process unfold, I couldn't stop thinking how much my life mirrors the fate of my Christmas tree. I will turn 40 this year. My knees hurt when I run, and I need glasses to read these words. My body hurts when I wake up in the morning. It takes two cups of coffee before I can even keep my eyes fully open, and I lose my breath when I go up a flight of steps.

But more than that, I often find myself wilting from a far greater weariness than my physical pains. I find myself wilting from the struggles and strains of living in a fallen and broken world. A world where good people sometimes finish last and the real jerks seem to glide through life without a care in the world. Maybe for some of us, life has thrown some real curve balls. The disappointments of life can be hidden killers, pushing us to be cold and hard. Not only do we deal with the pain and loss from external agents, we also have to deal with our own hidden demons. I often find myself grappling with my own selfishness, anger, and fears. These come from within, and they are more crippling than anything that is external. Sometimes I boldly fight the temptations of my flesh, but many times I submit to the enemy within, either too weary to fight or too lazy to care. I am wilting both because I have cut off from the vine and because I often don't want to be reconnected!

As I have been contemplating this whole thing, I began to notice something about our tree. You see, when the tree was strong and lush and green, the ornaments and the lights were pushed back and muted, but as the tree began to loose some of its luster, the ornaments and especially the lights began to become more prominent. As a matter of fact, as I moved a step or two back from the tree, I did not see the wilted branches anymore. I could only see the glimmering white lights shinning boldly and the strategically placed ornaments seemed to dance on the end of the branches.

Wow, what a picture of the life of a believer in Christ. We start out on this journey of Christianity with boldness and confidence. As the battle scars begin to add up we begin to realize more and more of how far short we fall compared to our perfect savior. We realize that our sinful passions, although redeemed and forgiven, will not be easily broken. And as we struggle with our sin and wilt under the strain of this world, we begin to realize that the light of Christ and the ornaments of his gifts to us can now be more boldly seen. Life is no longer wrapped up in "me" but "Christ in me." My life becomes defined by Christ and the gospel of grace, and the light of Christ shines boldly through my struggles and pain...not because I have it all together...I certainly do not, but because I am forgiven and I have been adopted by the King. I am filled with His Spirit, and His Spirit testifies that there is more to life than this world. As I become weak, He becomes strong in me. In my life struggles, His light emerges...strong and bold and never ceasing.

I am not sure I have this whole "wilting" thing figured out yet, but maybe just maybe the wilting will lead to something better, more profound, and a whole lot more satisfying...maybe even something eternal.

Christmas Has Gone to the Dogs!

If you ever want to have a blast with some of your friends who love dogs, try inviting Santa to come by and offer to take pictures of Santa with their dogs.

A few friends suggested doing this as a way for us to meet some of our neighbors. At first I was a bit resistent, but after seeing a steady stream of neighbors shuffle in for their picture I was sold on the idea. We had a blast sharing our dog stories and talking about our love for animals. It was great to meet some new people, and I was amazed at how quickly our animals become part of our families. One lady came by with two dogs and a bird, and we all laughed as Santa sat patiently with the two dogs on his lap and the bird sitting on his head. Luckily, the bird had taken care of his business before coming inside, although that would have definately enhanced the picture.

As I was reflecting on this spectacle, I was reminded of the joy of the season. I am so prone to take everything so seriously, and in my seriousness, I forget to stop and smell the roses. I forget to take the time and ask my neighbors what is important to them. I forget to slow down my busy schedule long enough to sit with my daughter to take a picture with our two little Westies. I forget that this season, that this year, that this life is quickly passing us by. It seems that each year passes more quickly. My kids are growing up, my knees are beginning to hurt when I run, and I need glasses to read...each a small reminder that I am not getting any younger.

With all of that said, I am committed to make people a priority. I want to remember every moment with my kids. I want to take the time to go on dates with Lisa again. I want to spend time with God and reflect on his goodness and blessings in my life. I want to be able to drink in every moment of this Christmas season with my family. Ultimately, I desire more of the important things in life, knowing that it is my own fault that I spend so much time on the insignificant! If Christmas had not gone to the dogs, I may not have taken the time to notice.

Too Much Chrismas...or Not!?

I guess it is appropriat to start my blog with some thoughts about Christmas in this "boomburg" that I live in. One of my son's favorite books is the Berenstein Bears "Too Much Birthday." The story goes that the bears want to celebrate sister bear's birthday, and by the time everything comes together the birthday is so overwhelming that sister bear bursts out in tears because of too much activity. What started with good intentions, ended up in a total meltdown.

Does anyone feel that way about Christams this year? The amazing thing about Christmas these days is how overwhelming the whole holiday has become. You see, Christmas is no longer a day-long celebration or even a week-long celebration. Christmas is a month long grind that begins with a flurry, continues on for over a month and then ends with a thump. We no longer celebrate Thanksgiving as a time to reflect and rest; we use Thanksgiving as a launching pad into and explosive month of shopping, Christmas parties, more shopping, more Christmas parties, wrapping, giving, sharing, eating and best of all...opening presents. It is almost as if the opening of the presents is anti-climatic these days. It is not that I don't enjoy the presents or look forward to Christmas morning, it is just that we have worked so hard to get there, that it is hard to really enjoy the fruits of our labors. I even caught myself already thinking of how much work it is going to take to re-pack all our decorations once Christmas is over...and where in the world are we going to put all these presents that we have purchased? I think I may have to go rent a storage unit to store all my extra stuff!

As I was meditating on all of this today, I began to reflect on the first Christmas. I can't help but wonder how crazy things were for Joseph and Mary. Ladies, how about riding on a donkey for a couple of days to get to Bethlehem the week before you give birth? Dads, how would it feel to get your wife all the way to Bethlehem and then not be able to provide a clean and safe place for your first son to be born...oh, and you are still trying to figure out this virgin birth thing along the way...will he call me dad or should we just leave it as Joseph? And how about all this shephard business? I am not sure how great it would be to give birth to your first son in a stable and then have the whole country side invited by the angels to come and worship the child in your arms...that would take some time to get used to!

No, it would seem that Christmas was crazy from the beginning. One thing caught my attention though. In the midst of the miracles, shephards, angels, special stars, traveling, census, and all the other stuff going on there were times when Mary and Joseph just stopped and took it all in. In Luke 2:19 it says that Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." A few verses later, Luke says "the child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him."

Maybe, in the midst of the craziness of the season, it would be appropriate for us to take a moment and "ponder." Simeon praised God as he took Jesus in his arms with these words, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." It takes more than a day or a week to reflect on these words. It may take a whole lifetime, but in the midst of our month long celebration for Christmas, I think it is appropriate to treasure up all of these things in our hearts." Maybe we do have "Too Much Christmas" and maybe the Berenstein Bears will someday have a book by that name, but until then, let us enjoy the season but make sure that we keep the "reason for the season" the main thing!