I love old Christmas ornaments! Our little Christmas tree is
covered with them! Each fragile vintage treasure reflects a story, if only they
could share it!
How did they get from where they were originally made to my little tree in Chambersburg, PA? Who first decorated their tree with the ornaments I now place with care on mine? Was it a family with a little money to spare who wanted some shiny baubles to add a festive touch to the homemade decorations on their tree? Were the ornaments I now own passed down from one generation to another until there were no family members left to pass them on to?
I’ll never know the real stories behind our ornaments, but one day my children and grandchildren will inherit them. As I gazed with fondness at our little collection of shiny, bright treasures, I wonder who will one day accept them and incorporate them into their own homes?
And suddenly I realize that the gospel message is rather like a Christmas ball that we hope to pass on from one generation to the next. God expects us to share our faith with our children and our children’s children (Deuteronomy 4 and 6)!
And it doesn’t stop with family! John 3:16 reminds us that God loved the world so much that He allowed His son, Jesus to die on the cross to take away our sin! In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commanded us to go and share with everyone the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Though we often take care to pass on family heirlooms, we have a spiritual treasure to share with others that is far more important.
Perhaps this year, as we decorate our Christmas trees, we can pick one ornament to give to someone else. And as we share one of our worldly treasures, let’s also share God’s eternal message of love and mercy. We have so much more to pass on to others than just a bit of glass and glitter!
Be encouraged!
