December is the month of trees. Well, it used to be! Christmas tree putter-uppers used to wait till December 1 to place baubled trees in every retail establishment in North America. Little by little, the date changed to right after American Thanksgiving, and then it was Halloween. This year, I saw my first Christmas tree about the end of August. Rushing the season a bit, aren't we?

Retailers want our Christmas money; "first come, first served" is their motto. Yet, many employers instruct their staff not to say "Merry Christmas" in case they offend somebody.

The tree always offends because it is a symbol of another tree:

Acts 5:29-31 – But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." (NKJV)

This year, let's "Merry Christmas" one and all, and remind folks why we "tree".

Prayer: Lord God, Maker of all trees, especially the one that held Jesus, may we be walking trees of remembrance for all we meet this season — for Christ. Amen.

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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