How it happens I have no clue, but there is a hidden heavenly knowledge revealed only to my wife, who in turn lays it on me. It was revealed to her that yesterday we had to buy the family 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 but Mom wasn’t happy, and when Mom’s not happy…
In my own marriage there were some years when I wanted a big tree and I pushed to get it. Great trees all right, but no space left in the living room. Now the divine revelation has taught me to say, “Oh, Diane, I love that tree you’ve picked!”
There are Sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist, divine ways God gives and strengthens faith. There are also sacramental – human rituals or objects that point us to the Gospel and grace God gives us sinners in the Word and Sacraments of Christ. I think Christmas trees serve that function. As a kid growing up, I stood with open-mouthed wonder at the huge Christmas trees in church. Two of them, one on each side of the chancel, reached from the main floor up to the level of the balcony. Those great trees made a lasting impression. I sensed 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!
(This Minute is adapted from “Timely Reflections,” a compilation of 365 Meyer Minutes available at www.tripillarpublishing.com)
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