Subscription Lists

Refreshment in Refuge

    by Gina Burgess

Jesus the Christmas Tree
Date Posted: December 28, 2014

In my house this year, we had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. You know, rather small and insignificant looking with only 70 lights and a few red bells for decoration. It is a live tree, though, green and straight, not leaning over, or withered looking. We were just too sick this year to drag out all the decorations or to do much shopping. However, in your living room or somewhere in your house there may be a green tree standing tall and draped with beautiful, tinkling jewels of light and glory.

I didn’t hear much conversation this year about Holiday tree versus Christmas tree. Yet, an argument does seem to crop up about that every so often. Most Christians realize holiday is a derivative of holy day; therefore there is no real difference between the two if we examine the brass tacks of the matter. In fact, if we want to be extremely technical, the expression “happy holidays” describes the season better than “Merry Christmas.” Satan has deceived people into believing that the X crosses out Christ in Christmas as in Xmas. If one does a bit of study, one discovers that the X is the Greek letter Chi, and was frequently used to indicate Christ. It’s that kind of deception that Satan cackles about behind his hand.

The mere fact green trees abound during this season silently points to Christ.

For if they do these things in the green tree, what may take place in the dry? Luke 23:31 Jesus said this on His way to the cross. He called Himself the green tree. I find that fascinating.

It is a Jewish expression comparing a good man to a green tree, and a bad man to a dry or dead tree. The green tree bears fruit, gives shade, and is useful for so many things. It is not useful however to make a fire. Have you ever tried to start a fire with green wood? No, the dry wood burns up the green wood, just as our sin consumed Jesus’s physical body.

Green tree (literally wet wood), green fir (Hosea 14:8), an apple tree (Song of Song of Song of Solomon 2:3), vine and nourishing root, Tree of Life have all described Jesus throughout Scripture. The green tree is full of nourishing sap just as Jesus described Himself as Living Water. He is full of wonderful goodness, kindness, peace, joy, long sufferance, and forgiveness: The fruit of the Spirit that He bestows upon us when we take Him into our hearts. As a green tree, He flourished and caused great benefits upon the Jewish people such as healing the sick, the lame to walk, the dead to rise alive again. All these things were spoken by the prophets about the Messiah. Green wood is not fit for fuel for fire. He did nothing worthy of death. He was innocent. He was everything fruitful and useful, and was declared from Heaven the good tidings of great joy for the whole earth.

He did not deserve death.

I have heard that Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah because He died on the cross meaning He died a sinner’s death, meaning He was sinful. He literally did take on all the sins of the world, but He was not sinful.

The sins of the world dried up His body, just as a green tree dries up when cut away from its root. Although, a green tree will stay green for a time after its nourishment is removed especially when we give it life-giving water. For that time, it decorates our homes giving off a wondrous fragrance, reminding us of all creation.

We decorate the tree with all things beautiful, with things that bring us good memories, and with glitter and sparkling gold and silver, and it gives us the fragrance of frankincense and myrrh which is dried balsam sap, and sap from the myrrh bush. These are the gifts brought to the baby Jesus that were prophetic about Him and His mission. Gold was property of kings. Frankincense and myrrh, which only the rich used in the mummification process of their dead. The gifts were very expensive reminders that He willingly stepped down from the Throne in Heaven setting aside all His riches and glory. He came to die so that we might live.

There comes a time, though, when the tree must be removed from our home. It goes the way of most dead things, discarded as so much trash. Like a dead and withered tree is cast on the fire, so Jesus did to our sins. He came first to the Jews, but He died for all mankind.

The green tree is our reminder as Jeremiah spoke the words of our LORD,

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

And reminds us of Ezekiel and Hosea’s words:

And all the trees of the field shall know that I, Jehovah, have brought down the high tree. And have exalted the low tree, and have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree flourish. I, Jehovah, have spoken and acted. (Ezekiel 17:24)

Ephraim shall say, ‘What is it to me any more with idols?’ I answered him, and I regarded him. I am as a green fir tree; your fruit is found from Me. (Hosea 14:8)

Therefore, when you gaze upon your brightly decorated green tree this holy season, remember God designed it all for your benefit. He knew before the foundation of the world the Son would willingly bear the sin of the world so that while we were yet sinners, He loved us and died for us. In that green tree is the symbol of what Jesus did for us so long ago. Even though He withered and died because of our sin, He was raised alive, vibrant, and He is forever green, the Door into Heaven and God’s presence.

Was this article helpful?
Rate it:

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

The Servant Leader

Read Article »
Biography Information:

Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.

She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.

If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon

Got Something to Share?
LiveAsIf.org is always looking for new writers. Whether it is a daily devotional or a weekly article, if you desire to encourage others to know Him better, then signup to become a contributor.