How it happens I have no clue, but there is hidden heavenly knowledge revealed only to my wife, who in turn lays it on me. It has been revealed to her that Saturday we must buy the Christmas tree.
My mom once let my Dad buy the tree all by himself. Great tree he got. You could see right through it. He probably liked the price. Mom was not happy and when Mom’s not happy…
In my own marriage there were some years when I wanted a big tree. Great trees…but no space left in the living room. Now the divine revelation has taught me to say, “Oh, Diane, I like that tree you’ve picked.”
There are sacraments, ways God gives and strengthens faith. There are also sacramentals, human rituals that point us to the grace God gives us sinners in the sacraments. I think Christmas trees serve that function. As a kid growing up, I stood with mouth-open wonder at the huge Christmas trees in church. Those great trees made an impression. There’s something bigger than normal life here, something that puts even grown-ups in awe.
That’s still true today. God’s grace is coming down in Jesus. Happy tree-hunting!
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