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 that 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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