Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 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.
THE COLORS OF CHRISTMAS: GREEN
I personally believe that pine trees are among the ugliest of all trees. There may be many that disagree with me on this, but that is my opinion. Many of the forests of Wisconsin, after being cleared of their native trees by the lumber industry were replanted with pine trees. This makes me sad. When I go walking in the woods in summer or autumn, I don't want to see pine trees, they seem boring and a bit colorless next to the mighty oaks, or the white birch trees. I like the willows especially the ones that hang low over quiet rivers and the Ash trees turn a glorious gold color in the fall, but the pine . . .
Nevertheless, if the pine is plain and simple and not particularly strong or glorious, yet it remains green when everything else has died. In the heart of winter, suddenly the simple pine tree is the only thing that has color. All other trees produce a myriad array of colors in the fall, but the harshness of winter appears and only the pine retains any color.
This world might very well produce much that astonishes us. The worldly people that surround us might seem to have so much more than those who live for Christ. They might be stronger, more colorful, bolder, richer, but in the end when they have lost it all, those in whom Christ remains are the only ones left alive. Those who hope in the Lord will remain green; everything else will die.
Christ keeps you green.
