Continuing on the theme of decorations and light, I’d
like to tell you about our Christmas tree. This year we purchased an artificial
tree with fiber-optic lighting. In case you have never seen one of these allow
me to describe it to you. Running along all the branches of the tree are thin
transparent fiber-optic tubules. These tubules light up in an array of colors
that are constantly changing. The shimmering effect is beautiful. Even the star
at the top of the tree benefits from these beautiful iridescent colors. The
overall effect of the lighting and its constant, shimmering change can be
mesmerizing. My son commented that the tree was beautiful without even putting
any ornaments on it.
What is unique about this type of tree is that it is not
the tubules along the branches that create the light. We have purchased pre-lit
trees in the past. These have strings of lights that are attached to the
branches. It seems that with each progressive year one or more light strands refused
to light up. This is why we chose the fiber-optic version for this year. In
other trees the lights along the branches are what light up. The light in this
tree does not come from the branches or even tree itself but from the base in
which it stands. This base has a solid, clear light. Just above the light is a
transparent, rotating color disc. When the clear light shines up through this
rotating disc, the array of colors on the disc shine through the tubules
lighting up the tree. The base of the tree looks like a dark green bucket that
could hold dirt and support a live tree. The light and the motor remain unseen.
All the catches the attention of observer is the color on the branches and the
beautiful star on the top.
Looking at this tree we can reflect on what the
Christmas story represents. We are celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Jesus is the tree of eternal life. He told his disciples, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him
bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union
with Me] you can do nothing.” (John
15:5 AMP) We are the branches of that tree. The life comes from Jesus
through us. We do not work at it. We simply let it flow unhindered.
Jesus is the true source of light in life. “…I am the
Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will
have the Light which is Life.” (John 8:12b AMP) Like the tubules on the tree’s
branches, we are equipped to reflect the light of Jesus. “Let your light so
shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and
glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 AMP) We have not only been equipped but also commanded to
shine brightly for Him. And Jesus, just like the base of that tree, does all
the work. We believers, like the fiber optic tubules, simply reflect what is
being projected by our base, the true cornerstone of life. “You are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20 AMP)
We must let Jesus provide the light
and the power behind everything that we do. We are created in his image to be a
reflection of his glory. “And all of us,
as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as
in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing
splendor and from one degree of
glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP) There is no striving in this. All we
are to do is simply be what we were created to be. The result will be a peaceful calm and incredibly beauty that
will mesmerize the world.
Let the light of Jesus Christ shine
through you today. The reflection of God’s Glory will be beautiful for all to
see.
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