Oh Christmas Tree

Now that December is here, the music almost everywhere has changed to Christmas tunes.  One particular song always gets me in a reflective mindset about Christmas past. It is from the Charlie Brown Christmas Movie. The opening lines are:

As I listen to this song, I begin thinking about Christmas traditions, or the annual customs and  activities that are done each year and passed on from generation to generation. Traditions are all around us, in the Church, in the Community, and in our families. I love Christmas. I love everything about It: the lights, the garland, the candles, and the movies (especially Hallmark Christmas movies ☺️). My greatest love is the time spent with family and friends.

Since I was a young child one of my favorite traditions is the Christmas Tree. For most of my life, we were a family with only live trees in the house. The artificial ones just wouldn’t do. (Although this has changed in recent years). When I was little, I remember my family piling into our old yellow station wagon, (those were the “in” cars for families back then), driving to the local tree lot in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and looking at all the pre-cut trees to find the perfect one that would fit in our house with room for the heirloom angel to fit on the top. We didn’t always have a rack on the top of the car, so some years we had to have it inside the car and we all would squish towards the doors. It was quite a sight to see. The smell of the fresh tree filled the car.

When I was a teenager, we moved to Texas, and the tradition changed for the better. Instead of going to a Christmas tree lot to choose among the trees that had been cut for who knows how long, we began the tradition of going to a Christmas tree farm and cutting down our family tree each year. We would walk up and down the rows of beautiful trees for what seemed like hours still in search of that perfect tree. We would look from all angles to see which side could be hidden by the wall due to missing branches. It was always important to check the trunk as it needed to be as straight as possible. Most of all, it had to have room for all our family ornaments that would soon hang from its branches. If I remember correctly, there was at least one year that I got to lay on the ground with the saw in my hand and cut down the tree.

One thing that never changed was the time spent decorating the tree. We would carefully unwrap each special ornament and start scoping out the spot where it would be placed. I don’t know what your tree may have looked like, but our tree told the story of my family. At the top of the tree, you would find “cupcake man” and “flute boy” which my parents got when they were first married back in 1964. These two ornaments were traditionally the first ornaments to be hung. These were followed by the ornaments with our names on them, then it was fair game. Ornaments were representing our schools, churches, hobbies, places we have traveled to, and even pets. We would laugh and share the stories behind each of these treasures.  After the tree was completed with the Angel on top, I could spend hours each day just staring at the tree with awe and being grateful to God for my family and all the blessings that I could now see hanging upon the branches of our Christmas tree.

Even now, years later, I find myself each year looking for a new ornament to be added to our Community tree that represents something that happened. For instance, in 2018 I bought an oar that represented a rafting trip we took on a lazy river at the end of summer. In 2020, funny COVID ornaments made the tree. There is one I chose for this year, but it is wrapped under the tree as I write this, so I can’t tell you what it is right now 😉.

As I sit with the Lord asking for deeper inspiration for this blog besides a walk down memory lane, he reminds me of two other types of trees. First, there is a Jesse tree that I believe many families put up with their children which is filled with symbols marking the journey from creation to the birth of Christ. (I use the word “believe” as I have never done this myself and have only read about this tradition.)

The image of this Jesse tree allowed me to sit with the Lord and ponder what would be on my “Alison tree” that would represent life from my creation until today. Of course, it would have my birth and my sacraments, big events such as World Youth Day 2008 where I tangibly encountered the Holy Spirit, and maybe even struggles that have formed me into who I am today. It would especially mark my final promises, which happened just one year ago. But just like how I love to add a new ornament every year, I would add any new milestones in the coming years.

During the time of imagining this “Alison tree”, I am even more grateful for the final tree the Lord put on my heart. The tree in which he hung upon and died for me and the salvation of the whole world. Jesus, whose birth we will be celebrating come Christmas Day, was born to live and die to save us from our sins. He opened up heaven, so we can all look forward to eternity with him after our lives here on earth are done. As I gaze upon the cross on the wall of our chapel, I can see beyond the pains of the crucifixion and see the beauty of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

When I began this reflection, my focus was on just one type of tree and being grateful for my family and all those Christmas memories. Now I end it with three trees and with greater love of my life and for my Lord. It is always good to remember and to pray for our family and friends, especially those who we may have lost since last Christmas. But, we need to never forget the reason for this season: Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Jesus, for the love you have shown us in your birth, and for the sacrifice you made for us in your death. Because of you, we are set free. Walk with us always as we journey towards you and the heavenly banquet you have planned for us.

Before I end this blog, I have to share one last favorite memory I have from my childhood, which in my heart I still carry on today. On Christmas morning when my siblings and I were finally allowed to come downstairs (we had to sit at the top of the stairs until both of my parents were awake), we were not allowed to look at the presents until after we gathered around the creche and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

May your remaining time of Advent be blessed and your Christmas be filled with peace and joy.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!