A Meaningful Christmas Tree

By Eve Goldstein

Last year, at the age of 54, I decided to put up my first Christmas tree. That may seem odd to you but I wasn’t raised as a Christian. Actually, I was born Jewish and became a believer in Christ when I was about 27 years old. However, the Christmas tree tradition had no real meaning for me personally because I did not have one as a child. The idea to try it and see what it felt like was an exciting adventure for me. I was careful with every detail from the color of the tree to each handpicked ornament. It turned out lovely, right down to the big box of presents my brother and his girlfriend sent as a surprise, which I placed at the bottom. I truly enjoyed the experience from start to finish.

As Christmas approached this year, I asked myself if I wanted to create a new tradition by doing it a second time? I was concerned at first that it could never match the childlike joy I had felt last year. Then the thought that Jesus was crucified on a tree came to mind making it appropriate that we would celebrate His birth with a pine tree (I imagine this is the type of tree from which the Cross was made.) I decided to go forward and pulled out the tree with its trimmings. As I hung the ornaments, I recalled that my friend Cynthia had asked me to write about my beautiful tree last year but I had declined. This year, however, I am inspired to share with you what makes my Christmas tree so meaningful to me.

The tree, which looks like a pine, is white, representing the holiness, purity and innocence of Jesus when He entered the world as a baby. Furthermore, it reminds me of the scripture that says, “…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) That verse is a prophecy of what Jesus would do for all of us through His death and resurrection.

On the tree limbs hang the various ornaments, each special in their own way:

• Light purple pine cones which would be found on a fruitful pine tree. The purple represents the royalty of Christ the Lord.

• Light purple jewels as well in the shape of diamonds. The color also symbolizing His royalty and the diamonds how precious and invaluable He was.

• Round ornaments of different kinds: some white with glitter gold hearts, some white with glitter gold dots, some all of glitter gold and some made like shiny gold. The roundness of these brings to mind the “world” which “God so loved…that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The hearts make one think of this amazing love and the gold of the honor the Kings showed Him when they brought it as one of their gifts.

• Snowflakes made with golden glitter. It is said that snowflakes are completely different from each other. I don’t know if that is true but I do know that each one of us is uniquely made by God. The snowflakes are therefore hanging in the place of mankind on my tree. I like the glitter on the various ornaments. It shines likes the stars in the night sky.

• One big white snowflake with golden glitter hearts and 2020 inscribed on it, the first year of my tradition.

• A new ornament added this year was given to me by my brother. It belonged to our Mom who is now passed on, a crystal cardinal, her favorite bird. Every time she saw one, she said she thought of God.

• A singular ornament also on the tree is shaped like the Star of David, a Jewish symbol, which goes so nicely with the tree topper, a beautiful light purple glitter crown. This helps me recall that Jesus is the King of Kings - of the Jewish people and all who call upon His name. It is also a reminder of my heritage of being born as a Jew.

• There are white lights on my Christmas tree too not only to remember Jesus was the Light of the world but that He asks that we let Him shine through us to a world that can be very dark. It is encouraging that Christmas lights shine brighter when the lights in the room are off…

I am so glad that I decided to put the Christmas tree up again creating a new and meaningful tradition. It makes me smile and feel loved by the Lord. I hope you know how infinitely loved you are by our Father God. He is your greatest gift this holiday season!