Isaiah 35:1-10
“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. . . The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon.” Isaiah 35:1a; 2b (NLT)
If I asked you to picture a “Charlie Brown Christmas tree,” I’m sure you would imagine a sparse and homely tree, just like the one in the Charlie Brown television special from years back. In searching for a Christmas tree for your home, I bet you would most likely seek one with lovely, green, full branches. We dream of a green Christmas!
The custom of hanging greens originated with ancient civilizations who used evergreen plants during the winter solstice to symbolize life, rebirth, and protection. Our ancient ancestors must have looked with wonder at those few plants that did not wither or die in the long, dark days of winter. The tradition was eventually adopted and transformed by Christianity, becoming a part of Christmas celebrations. Bringing trees, branches, and garlands into our home during the Christmas season is a sign of God’s promise of life in the midst of death.
This Advent, we hear lessons from Isaiah read during worship. We learned about Isaiah’s vision of a shoot coming from the stump of Jesse last week. Today, the prophet Isaiah gives us a verdant image of the desert rejoicing and blossoming.
As we evaluate the dry and arid places of our lives this Advent, what does it mean to dream of a green Christmas? Are we open to God’s unfolding purpose, or are we lost in the busyness of the season?
Though the color of Advent is blue, we gather around the ever-green signs of God’s mercy and love. We receive spiritual nourishment at the Lord's table, empowering us to be God's people in the world.
As you put up the greens and the tree this season, rejoice with the “fields, floods, rocks, hills, and plains” and sing for joy!
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Listen:
Joy to the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXW_MwyYNuU&list=RDGXW_MwyYNuU&start_radio=1
Questions for Reflection:
- Reflect on the many ways trees are mentioned in the Bible. (i.e.: The Creation Story – Genesis 2; Psalm 1 compares a blessed person to a tree planted by water; Jesus bore our sins on a tree – 1 Peter 2:24; The Tree of Life – Revelation 22:2)
- As you celebrate around the Christmas tree this season, remember that trees are a sign of God’s promise to bring new life and hope.
Prayer:
O God, source of all life and light, we thank you for the season of Advent, a time of quiet waiting and hopeful growth. Help us to shed the dry, withered leaves of our old ways and flourish with new life in Christ. Amen.
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