O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

Out of 5 years here in Michigan, we've only been around here twice. The first was out of necessity, as we left a couple of days later to head on the long trek down to Tampa for Joel's four month trauma rotation. Remember what our Christmas tree looked like that year?

This year, it was again out of necessity, as it was just not feasible for us to pay $2500 to fly the five of us out to Phoenix for a week. Nor was it practical to spend the time driving out there if we only had a week off. So we decided to enjoy Christmas out here with just our little family this year.

But this year, Liam is old enough to not let his Daddy off the hook when it comes to a Christmas tree. So we put it up. And decorated it.

Now, I know there is a bit of a controversial debate over Christmas trees. Some could truthfully state that they have pagan origins, but then so also do many other things in our daily lives (days of the week, and some months, as a small example). Even Christmas Day was placed conveniently by the early Christians during a pagan festival. And didn't the New Testament allow us to have food offered to idols? And isn't God bigger then all of that, and uses creation to point back to Him?

So, at least in this house, we are ok with it ...either that or my husband decided this is not a battle he desires to fight! ;)

All controversy aside, I think our Christmas tree has some great symbolism that I can use to try to teach my children, and as I said earlier... point back to Him.

So thus, Day 5 in our intentional Christmas season using the Christmas Tree to show our children that Jesus is the everlasting Light of the World.

Here are a few that I have... let me know if you have more :)

• Evergreen- show him that all other trees have died off, but the evergreen is continuously green all year round (aka it's name ;), just like everyone on earth will one day die, but Jesus died, was resurrected and lives forever
• Lights- Jesus is the Light of the World
• Angel/Star- announced/pointed the way to Christ's birth

As for the Ornaments, ours happen to be red and gold. Joel wanted something that coordinated and I was willing to compromise. (though I do look forward to when my childrens' homemade ornaments also garnish the tree!) But with the red/gold, I told Liam that they are good reminders that Christ our Saviour shed his blood on the cross and that He is the King of Kings.

 (Don't you love how you can tell just how high the arms go (the uppermost ones were with a stool :)