12 December 2005 Devotion for Today “The First Christmas Tree” James 2:24
Legend tells us that the first Christmas trees originated with the famous reformer, Martin Luther back in the early 1500s. He was strolling through a forest in northern
In the 7th century, the English monk St. Boniface went to teach the pagan Germans of Thuringia about Christianity. He used the fir tree's triangular shape to explain the concept of the Trinity. The people came to revere the fir tree and by the 12th century would hang a tree upside down from their ceilings as a symbol of their faith. Reports of Christmas tree decorating traditions increased in the ensuing centuries. The first known decorated fir tree in England was set up in the year 1840 in Windsor Castle , occasioned by the wedding of the young Queen Victoria to her husband, the German Prince Albert so he would not be homesick.
While its hard to verify the accuracy of some of these legends, but make no mistake about it, Christmas trees are beautiful- at least until they want to take the word Christ out of it and make it a holiday tree. But I submit to you that the very first Christmas tree was set up two thousand years ago. It was decorated by our Savior. Instead of candles and lights, it was sprinkled by His blood. Instead of ornaments it was adorned by His body on the tree. The tree I’m talking about was the Old Rugged Cross that we sing about which so few will ever associate with Christmas time. Yes, the true Christmas tree is a cross. First Peter 2:24, "He who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree."
The tree specified here used to described the cross. It was also mentioned in the Book of Acts. “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead –whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.”(Acts 5:30). You say, “Hold on, now! This is not how I pictured Christmas at all. Why talk about gruesome, gory stuff like what we saw on the Passion? Save that for Easter! I want to come to enjoy Christmas, see the church all decorated up with poinsettias and red bows. I want to come to see children dressed up like shepherds, wise men, and angels. I’ve come to see the baby Jesus in a manger, not to see Him on a cross. I can understand your feelings. For the very image of the cross intrudes upon our wonder as we read Luke’s narrative of the Christmas story. But without the cross the vision of the baby in a manger has no meaning. Without the cross, the baby Jesus would be just like every other baby that was born that night or on any other night for that matter. As innocent and as lovely as the sight of this little head, these tiny arms and feet, his body snuggled warmly in swaddling clothes, what gives this precious little life beauty is seen in this one Scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) It’s the image of this child born against the backdrop of the first Christmas tree, the cross.
When you look at your Christmas tree this evening, admiring its beauty and wonder, thank God for the very first Christmas tree, and the One who gave His life on it for you.
Have a blessed day!
Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net
website: http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/
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