Today the topic is Christmas trees. The history of them is so extensive, I'll just provide this link if you are interested. I love the part where Martin Luther was walking and found a grove of fir trees that were sparkling with snow in the starlight. That's where this story came from. Not very factual, just my thoughts. Enjoy!
Luther's Trees of Light
Martin Luther loved to take long walks. Sunshine or rain, hot or cold, he would be lost in prayer for hours, wandering through the lush forests that surrounded his town. On this cold December night, his mind and prayers were focused on his children. He longed to show them the wonder he had experienced in God’s love. How bright and miraculous it was that He, the King of Kings, should know their names.
Christmas was near and Martin marveled over the simple wonder of Jesus Christ’s humble birth. As his breath rose in gentle puffs around his face, he thought of the shepherds that enjoyed the host of angels, praising what had begun in Bethlehem. How he longed to see such a thing.
The cold began to seep through his layers of clothing and Martin realized he had been out for hours again. He was about to turn to go home when he saw a clearing just ahead that seemed to glow with candlelight. Curious, he trudged closer and gasped in delight at what he saw.
A large cluster of fir trees were dusted with new snow that sparkled and winked at him as he stood breathing in the frosty winter air. He glanced up to the sky, dark with heavy snow clouds. There was a break in them above the clearing and the stars shone vibrantly onto the snow. A gentle wind swept by him and through the trees. They appeared to shiver with excitement over a secret only they were privy to. Martin stood for long moments, unable to recall witnessing anything so wondrously beautiful before. It was as if the trees glistened from within. They looked like a host of angels similar to what he imagined the shepherds saw that night.
This caused him to wonder: did all the earth join in to celebrate the birth of the new born King? He remembered that Jesus had said, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”(Luke 19:40) If stones could cry in praise, then surely trees could be lit up with exuberance for God’s work. He knew these trees were simply covered in snow that sparkled in the glorious starlight, but it gave him refreshment and an idea for his children.
He rushed home for a saw to cut and gather a few small fir trees to bring in the house. When he set them up inside and gathered all the candles he could find, his wife looked at him inquisitively. He patted her on the cheek and assured her she would soon understand.
So on that December night, he gathered his family around him and stood before the fir trees. As he lit candles that were perched throughout the branches, he reminded them to honor Christ, the Light of the world.
Genesis 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Martin watched as the first flame lit the room. The sugar he had dusted on the trees caught the warmth of the flame and sparkled. The children and his wife watched in amazement as the next candle was lit.
2 Samuel 22:29 “For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.” Now the room glowed brighter and the sugar crystals winked in amusement. Psalm 19:8 “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Another candle roared to life as Martin quoted more of God’s Word.
Psalm 36:9 “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”
“Do you wonder,” Martin asked his family, “if there were more than angels and shepherds praising God the night Christ was born? I think there must have been trees dancing in the brilliance of the new star, don’t you?”
Another candle.
Psalm 148:3 “Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.”
As the Luther family looked on the small trees, now dancing with candle flame and dazzling sugar, they were reminded to be in awe of all God had done for them and all the world.
John 12:46 “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
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