The Christmas Cross????

I was thinking how ludicrous it was to make a cake saying Happy Birthday Jesus.  My motives were good but He came to live as a human, to feel the cold, sweat in the heat and experience physical pain.  He was a carpenter He must have hit his thumb, gotten splinters and cut Himself while learning his trade.  He came to fully experience emotional pain.  Growing up there must have been name calling, the boy who wasn't Joseph's son.  When did He know His life was going to end so soon?  Was He born knowing His mission was to die?

With all of that should my Christmas tree be a cross?  Perhaps a cross with a way to hang decorations.  Lights?  Yes lights would show He came as a light in our darkness.  Perhaps a cross with holes drilled for branches, some would use live branches of fragrant evergreens.  The perfume of His new life for us. People in the desert might use plants from the environment, others might opt for artificial limbs.  It wouldn't matter but it would be harder to control the shape and make our Christmas tree to our liking! We might have to put more thought into what is beautiful.

On one of my branches I would hang an ornament for Johnnie my little brother who only breathed a few hours, a brother I never saw but will one day meet in Heaven. I would hang a piece of art my friend Jane created, she met my brother 5 years ago.  I would hang my favorite Kenn Gulliksen teaching tape, "Do You Wish to Get Well?"  Oh and a mock copy of "The Shack by Wm. Paul Young  as well as "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, "Shame Lifter" by Marilyn Hontz  .  I'd have to play with my treasures maybe add some bling, they are after all my treasures. 

I will continue to construct my new tree from now on.  I know it will only live in my mind but I like my tree and it seems more appropriate and personal, the things He has done for and given to me over the years.