By Teddy Joseph
Pastor Stettler-Sedgewick Seventh Day Adventist Church
Every year in the little town of Stettler, a certain section of Main Street is restricted to allow a huge tree to be carried and planted where luminous lights are hung around about it.
This magnificent display draws all people to behold the brilliance and grandeur of this evergreen. The notable efforts of those involved in bringing this dead tree to life are repaid by the laughs, smiles, and cheer that daily surround the tree.
Most notably, the significance of this dead tree is in what is placed on it, as its decor proclaims the nearness of the Holiday/Christmas season.
This holiday/Christmas season will bring snow, as we can expect to witness its beautiful sheer covering in abundance throughout the season. Along with the snow, some people anticipate time off work, time with family, and perhaps even some delicious meals shared with friends or loved ones; but this may not be the case for all.
Some will be continuing to work throughout the season and others will spend the holiday season alone.
Consider this verse from Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.”
Four thousand years ago, in the little town of Bethlehem, a little innocent child with a great purpose was born.
The people of that town and nation were anticipating the promise given by God that the Messiah would bring them hope and liberation.
He was the Son of God and He was named Immanuel. Immanuel, although one English word, literally translates as “With us God” or “God is with us.”
His name was acted out in His life as He ministered unto the less fortunate families and those who were alone. The passage quoted earlier is a unique powerful message that we can hold onto. We serve a personal God that is with us, He walks with us and talks with us because of His deep love for us.
This promise holds true whether we are surrounded by people or in the quietness of solitude.
At the end of His life, He was given a part of a dead tree to carry on His back, as He laboured to Calvary.
At Calvary, he was placed on that tree, and it was planted in the middle of the mount.
The Son of Man, who died on the tree brought about a glorious light for all to see in His Word that when beholding the dazzling brilliance of His amazing love, people would be drawn to the One whose presence provides abundant joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.
This holiday season may the Lord bless you and yours, and may your season be filled with an abundance of joy and peace and with the knowledge that you are not alone no matter what your experience is.
Jesus is with you and will not forsake you. May the brilliance of God’s glory illuminate our hearts just as the Christmas tree lights up the little town of Stettler.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!