Early in December, I overheard two women talking in a store. One asked the other if she had her Christmas tree up yet. The reply was a sharp, "NO! What does a tree have to do with Jesus!?"

Stopping to think about it, I realized - Everything!

The tree is an evergreen, symbolizing eternal life, the very thing Jesus came to bring. The red balls are the drops of blood He shed to pay for my sin. The stars and angels are signs of the announcement of His birth to the people of all nations. The silver and gold tinsel mark Him as the King of kings. The lights remind us that He is the light of the world. The icicles are a symbol of the poverty, rejection and coldness He encountered here on earth. In the end, the tree became the cross on which He died.

Now, whenever I look at a Christmas tree, I see Jesus.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the symbols of the season and use them to constantly bring my thoughts to You and to the gift You prepared for me. Amen

44. And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45. And he that beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me.

46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.

47. And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49. For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50. And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.