Christmas Features and Figures
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
In the prior two weeks Theology 101 has taken four features of our Christmas programs and traditions as pointers that lead us back to truths associated with Christ’s coming into the world. Having considered angels and carols as well as gifts and guests, this week we turn to lights and a tree.
Brightly colored lights begin showing up everywhere as the Christmas season unfolds. Christmas lights can serve to point us to the truth that originally Christmas was all about the Light of the World coming in the form of a baby in Bethlehem.
When that baby was grown and had launched His mission He made the declaration, “I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Later He followed the miracle of restoring sight to a blind man by declaring, “As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the World” (John 9:5).
The Christmas tree seems to be a staple of most Christmas celebrations. However, the imagery of a tree never has so noble a reference as when it is used to speak of the cross on which Christ died. Of Christ, 1 Peter 2:24 states, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”
It is possible that in all the time we might spend admiring a beautifully lit Christmas tree surrounded by carefully wrapped gifts we do not consciously think of the other tree. Regarding that tree planted on Golgotha the Scripture reminds us there was no beauty to behold.
When looking back at that old rugged cross the words of Isaiah leap to the forefront: “There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (53:2). What was repulsive on the surface had underneath it the beauty of a loving Father making a way for His wayward creation to come home.
Looking ahead
If the tree at Christmas compels us to take time to think back to that tree of yesteryear that bore God’s Son, might it also compel us to think ahead to what awaits us in heaven. Revelation 22:2 describes it like this: “In the middle of its street and on either side of the river was the tree of life” and then adds, “The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Only then will it be said, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
May this hope burn brightly in our hearts.
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