It’s December! Have you bought your Christmas Tree?
This Christmas season we would like to share some thoughts that are important to help us remember “the reason for the season.” During this time of the year in homes all across America you will usually find a Christmas Tree decorated for the family to enjoy and put presents under to be celebrated on Christmas Day. We wanted to take the time to remind everyone that the “tree” which ulitimately matters is the one that Jesus Christ died on for our sins. Concerning the word ”tree” or, in our case the cross, there are two Greek words that are commonly used in the New Testament.
Stauros– Stauros means an upright pale or stake which took various forms at different times. (Matt. 27:32, 40, 42; Col. 1:20; 2:14; Heb. 12:2; Phil. 2:8)
Xulon– This word is used of both a tree and of the cross. The point is that one of the words used in the New Testament for the cross is a word that also means “tree,” “wood,” or “a piece of wood” and hence, anything made of wood. (Acts. 5:30; 20:39; 13:29.)
Whether you have a fake or a real Christmas Tree it is important that you and your family do not relate it to old pagan traditions or a cultural celebration that you were brought up into. But, make the “tree” be a reminder of the ultimate gift of sacrifice that was paid for your sins and a chance to celebrate the risen Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the “tree” (XULON), that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
So this Christmas morning when you see the gifts under your Christmas Tree, take time to remember God’s gift that was poured out under the “tree” of the cross, His Blood; which was shed for your sins and gave you the right to be called the sons and daughters of God! (Romans 5:1-11)
We would like to take this time to remind you that we are still selling Christmas Trees to raise funds for our Missions Groups and spread the news of the great gift of salvation. We hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Click here to go to the Christmas Tree Fundraiser page
Article excerpts taken from God’s Christmas Tree Study By: J. Hampton Keathley, III
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