Discover

A Christmas Message from Peter Holmes

Dear Friends:
My favourite Christmas tree is not an evergreen, nor is it in my living room or in some prominent public square. It is in the backyard of the manse where it has been growing for over a hundred years. There are no lights or home-made decorations to adorn it, but there do not need to be.

The practice of putting up Christmas trees goes back over five hundred years when in the darkest time of the year, it became a reminder that on the tree of Calvary, Jesus Christ conquered death and was raised up to usher in God's new day!

Legend even has it that one December night Martin Luther was so overwhelmed with the beauty of a starlit sky that he tried to bring the heavens indoors by decorating the Christmas tree with candles to symbolize the light and love of Christ who came down from heaven. After all the magi had followed a star to find the newborn King, so why not put a little starlight on the tree? Bringing trees and lights and other decorations into our homes and into the church at Christmas has also become a symbolic way of saying that there is room in the inn and in our homes and in our hearts for Jesus.

The decorations inside are beautiful, but my favourite tree at this time of year is still out in the backyard. For most of the year it looks like little more than an overgrown bush. However, once the leaves have fallen, the pink popcorn shaped fruit and the bright orange seed of the rare Spindle Tree suddenly become the most beautifully decorated tree in all of Creation - and just in time for Christmas. I call it a Christmas tree not only because it blossoms into December, but also because it serves to remind us that Christ calls us to make known the beauty of his love and the good news of his coming to those in the backyards and backwoods of this world. When such love is freely given to those in need, Jesus assures us that we have done it as unto him.

Don't get me wrong. I also love the trees in the Sanctuary. They are aglow with thousands of lights, yet no apparent decorations. I like to think that your service and gifts at Christmas are the true decorations that help us make the love of God known. There are special Christmas envelopes available for your donation at the church. For those wishing to drop donations off at the church on a weekday, please be aware the church office will be open on December 19, 20, 23, 30 and 31 from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. You can also give online, or by contacting the church office.

Thank you for your faithful and prayerful support. We look forward to seeing you soon! Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Peter

Back to top