Our Christmas tree has been up for a few weeks now. Since my kids were little, they have helped me decorate the tree. I can only think of a year or two they may not have helped.
I put on the strands of lights because they have to be just perfect, and they help put on the ornaments. My kids are now a senior in high school and a senior in college.
I vividly remember a phone conversation with my daughter in college about my putting up the tree last year. She wasn’t going to be home until December 10 and wanted me to wait till she got home to put up the tree.
We do silly things like dance around while singing to Christmas music. She did not want to miss out on those traditions.
We compromised a little and bought the tree the week before she came home, and I put on the lights. When she got home, we put on the ornaments. This year we bought the tree the week of Thanksgiving because she was home and decorated the tree together.
The tradition of decorating the tree and putting on lights is fun, but what is more important is knowing the true light. John 1:9-14 states:
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
They are reborn–not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:9-14, NLT).
I too get busy in the hustle and bustle of the season and after Christmas is over, I regret I did not focus more on Him. One of the things I do enjoy is lying on the floor praying and having silent reflection. It focuses me on HIM.
We get excited and enjoy decorating the tree and seeing the lights at Christmas, but I have a challenge for me and you…focus on the one true light!
