Today’s prompt? Christmas ornament
There are many literary references to our life as a tree. Psalm 1, for instance, says we are to be like a tree planted by rivers of living water. This time of year, many of us decorate trees. We do so because trees are a symbol of life in the midst of a lifeless winter. We do so because the One Whose birthday we celebrate died on a tree to bring us everlasting, evergreen life. And we adorn these trees with beautiful ornaments. With splashes of red and the glimmer of silver and gold, we celebrate all that a tree of life in the midst of death signifies.
I guess it goes back to the Garden. We, like that first man and woman search for the tree of life, in the midst of a desert barren from all green….and now we find it because He has come!
As I decorate my tree this Christmas season, I’m asking myself, “How do I adorn the tree of my life? Does my tree bear fruit? Does my tree bear love, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, meekness, self-control? Ga. 5:22-23. Or, do I bear such little fruit that I am cursed and die?” Mark 11:20.
Lights are the foundation of my tree, I always start with them first. To be quite honest, there are many years when I’m tempted to stop there. The tree with lights alone is a beautiful sight. But how much more beautiful it is, when I begin to adorn her with ornaments…Ornaments with significance. Each one has a memory, and remembers a significant time and place. And such is the case with our own lives. Will we allow ourselves to have the ornament of wisdom? Pro. 3:22. Of meekness and grace? Let His character adorn the tree of your life and shine the light of His love everywhere you are today and this holy season.
Congrats to Amy from Make Me A Mary who won the wreath contest with the Book Lover’s Wreath.
There were no entries for the candy cane prompt.
Link up your post with a picture of an ornament! Include my blog button, and visit other “ornament” blogs. Stop by tomorrow to vote for your favorite “ornament” picture, and find out what tomorrow’s photo hunt will be! Have fun! (Blog links must be provided before 7:00 AM CST, in order to be voted on 🙂 ) I have no idea why the number of links doesn’t update…There are participants!
journeytoepiphany.wordpress.com 
Such beautiful thoughts! Thanks for reminding me of the significance of my Christmas tree this morning!
You are one of His favorite ornaments!
Beautiful thoughts. I want my life to be as carefully adorned as my Christmas tree!
Me too Shanda, me too.
Wonderful thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you come again, after the scavenger hunt….
Oh I don’t want be the tree that bore no fruit so was destined to death, like the one in Mark!
Your analogy is really fascinating… ornaments are great, beautiful, really “ornament” the tree. But too much can ruin it. Choosing the right ornaments to build in our lives… yeah, a worthy venture but not necessarily easy.
I don’t want to be found unworthy either. Faith pleases God, and the only way we are counted unworthy is to be found faithless. Oh, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
Thanks for inviting me to the link up! Lovely thoughts. I haven’t set up my tree yet, but am looing forward to doing it this coming weeken.
I’m glad you’re joining us! Have fun setting up your tree!
Beautiful thoughts! The lights are the foundation, aren’t they? Christ lighting up our lives.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Blessings to you & Merry Christmas!
Thanks Melanie! I’m looking forward to seeing your ornament photo tomorrow!
Great post, it’s always good to take stock of where we are in Christ.
Thanks Patti! I always appreciate hearing from you.
oh friend, your life shines so beautifully with his ornaments. thank you for helping me to reflect this christmas season. xo
That is all that I desire…to shine with His light.
That is just lovely! I’m so glad Amy won! What a lovely (and green) way to make a wreath.
I know, isn’t she clever? I’m so glad you’ve been hanging out here, it makes me feel very special…
What a beautiful wreath entry.
I stayed up half the night finishing an advent calendar for Daughter #1 and grandson. I know, I know, I am late. But as I send it UPS this morning…it’s finished…I know it will get there in time to hang the star.
Not only that, but they will have it for years to come…what a lovely and thoughtful present!