OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Here it is, December in the upper Midwest. The air is cold, there’s some snow on the ground, and…it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  People are decorating the outside of their homes with lights and nativity scenes. Radio stations are playing plenty of Christmas music to get you in the mood and yes, people are putting up Christmas trees in their home.

Some trees are artificial; quick to set up, easy to take down, and no mess from the actual live, pine needles. Well, this is the Timber of Faith blog, and what kind of timber enthusiast would I be if I allowed an artificial tree to be set up in my home? A fake one, just like the fake Christmas trees, that’s what I’d be.  (Yes, I just answered my own question).

Ever since I’ve lived on my own and able to have my own Christmas tree, it’s been a real one. I love the smell of a real tree, and it’s kind of cool for me to bring the woods into the home. The first one came from a fellow that worked with my dad. This guy had a tree farm and would bring the trees to work pre-wrapped in plastic mesh. My dad was kind enough to bring one home for my wife and I and help set it up. We put the tree in the stand and then cut away the plastic mesh. The branches slowly sprawled out into the living room. My dad recommended letting it warm up so the branches would relax and completely spread out before decorating it, so we did. By the next morning, the tree was completely relaxed and it was as wide as it was tall. Our living room was pretty small back then, so there was a coach, a TV in the corner, and this immense tree taking over the rest of the space. From then on, we decided we would pick out our own tree.

Right away we started the tradition of cutting down our own tree. We’d travel to different tree farms each year with different family members; picking out the perfect tree and drinking hot chocolate. It was quite fun. As time went on and after our boys were born, they’d come along too. The boys would help cut down the tree and get into snowball fights, we’d take pictures and videotape the whole experience. These were Normal Rockwell moments. Sure, a lot of the time it was freezing cold, someone would have to go to the bathroom, or the hot chocolate was way too hot for the kids, but they were all great moments to me. As time went on the family voted (against me) to not cut down our own tree anymore. Yes, I stomped my feet and threw a tantrum.

One of the last times we cut down a tree. 

Now we go to a local tree lot and pick out the perfect “pre-cut” tree. It’s still a real tree and it still makes the house smell wonderful. The boys don’t come with anymore, they’re in high school and college and have other things to focus on, so it’s the wife and I, and that’s just fine by me. I look forward to the time when I can drag the grandkids to a tree farm, cut down a Christmas tree, burn our lips on hot chocolate that’s way too hot, and deliver a tree that’s way too big for their living room.

Mighty Lumberjacks

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great spirit in God's sight.