Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect.

Matthew 1:24

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Most families, when searching for that special Christmas tree, spend hours looking for the perfect specimen without gaping holes or straggly branches, but not my children. They spent time looking for signs that animals have lived in or been sheltered by the tree. If it had a nest, it became the one no matter what the rest of the tree looked like. Why you may ask, it is all because of a Christmas book titled Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect by Richard H. Schneider.

The story begins with a forest full of absolutely perfect trees, each trying their hardest to grow perfectly so they will be chosen to be the Christmas tree for the great hall in the Queen’s palace. Of course there is one tree in the forest that is more perfect than all the others and the other trees are jealous because they know that “Small Pine” will one day grow to be the Queen’s choice. But “Small Pine” becomes the only tree in the forest to offer shelter to a wren lost in a snow storm, a hiding place to a rabbit escaping the hunting dogs, and sustenance for a deer who can no longer find food in the winter. In offering these gifts, he is no longer perfect, and knows that he will never be selected to be the honored tree. But to “Small Pine’s” surprise when the Queen comes to select the holiday tree, she notices a feather in the tree and the foot prints of the rabbit and deer and selects “Small Pine” to the surprise of the entire forest. The final line of the book explains the queen’s choice, when we live for the sake of others, it makes us most beautiful in God’s eye.

This is how I think of Joseph; he is most beautiful in God’s eyes. He sacrifices everything he thought was important to serve another. Despite all cost, Joseph does what God asks. He takes Mary to be his wife. He endures scorn from those who think ill of him and of his choice. He finds shelter for Mary and Jesus. He leaves his family, business and moves to Egypt for the safety of God’s child and then when God says, he picks up his life and moves back home, where I am sure there was not much of a reception.

I wonder if I could do what Joseph did if asked. Would I be able to give up those things that I thought were so important? I am afraid that I wouldn’t. I am afraid when called I would want to know all the details and outcome before I would answer yes. Surrendering is hard, we say we want to, but the reality is that we often hold a little back just in case. Joseph and Small Pine surrender all, and in doing so become beautifully blessed.

Heavenly Father, help us to surrender all, no questions asked! Help us to recognize others needs and be willing to meet them no matter the cost. Help us to be most beautiful in your eyes. Amen