Micah J. Sturm

Our homes are beautifully decorated with all the signs of Christmas. Wreaths, garland, and lights are everywhere!

The centerpiece of the home is the tree.

Lights gleam and glow from each branch, the ribbon shimmers in the gentle light, and around it we gather with those we love to exchange gifts. We hang special ornaments on our tree every year—sentimental reminders and markers of significant events. There’s the first ornament we got after we were married, Baby’s First Christmas ornament, and even the ornament that looks like our pet!

The centerpiece of the cosmos is Jesus Christ. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).

Around Him we gather and rejoice.

We echo Peter’s testimony—“the God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:30-32).

Our hearts bear the marks of his grace—rescued from our sins, hearts made pure and filled with perfect love, and the daily growth in Christlikeness—“like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season” (Psalm 1:3).

The Spirit of Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promise that holiness should be housed in humanity!

We are made free because Christ hung on a tree. His power over sin and death ensures our victory.

Now, “we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days” (Luke 1:74-75) and “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

The question, then, must be—what’s on your tree?