A Christmas Tree

By Henry Van Dyke
(from A Treasury of Christmas Stories)

The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will.

Help us rightly to remember
the birth of Jesus, that we may share
in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wise men.

Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.

May the Christmas
morning make us happy
to be Thy children,
and the Christmas evening
bring us to our bed
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Christmas tree! What a beautiful sight! But what does it mean to me? I wondered as I gazed at the Yuletide display before me.
     The evergreen tree—it symbolizes Jesus, Who lives in my heart strong and sure. He never dies away in the winter of my difficulties, but is always with me.
     The star on the tiptop of the tree is like that unforgettable star that lit the way to the humble childhood home of my Savior over 2,000 years ago. It also reminds me to always look up—that there’s always a shining star of hope, even in my darkest nights.
     The baubles and pretty decorations are the good, happy things that fill my life with spice and delight. I don’t take the time as often as I should to thank God for all my blessings, or even for the sad things and the hard times that have made me the person that I am today. Life wouldn’t be life without the joy and sadness, the good and the bad.
     The colorful string of lights? It reminds me of things God does to light my way through life. “His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJ). I never need feel alone.
     And last but not least, the presents under the Christmas tree symbolize my gifts to Jesus. It is His birthday, after all. I give Him gifts each time I give from my heart to others. This is what makes Christmas.

* * *

The most meaningful gifts are gifts of love—time, friendship, company, giving, forgiveness, and understanding.

* * *

The heart of Christmas is not in the presents you give, but the love that you share.

—Amanda White

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