The Fir Tree

    When we lived in South Carolina we decided to have a real Christmas tree for the first time in our marriage.  We always had a tree, just always artificial.  So, we went to Lowes to pick out our tree.  When we got there, I was amazed!  They literally had over a hundred trees to choose from.  Lisa, Austin, Ashley and I began going up and down the aisles oohing and aahing at how beautiful they all looked.  There were trees of all sizes and types.  We finally agreed on one and put it on top of our car, got it tied down, and headed for home to decorate. It was beautiful, our first real tree!
    The evergreen tree stays green all year, never changing colors.  This is the type of tree that has been chosen as the Christmas tree to be brought into our homes.  Sure there are many kinds, pine, fir, etc., but they are all evergree trees.  The evergreen tree represents the unchanging, everlasting hope we can have in Christ Jesus.  Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."   Just like the evergreen tree, our Savior is unchanged, a solid rock on which to stand.  What's more, the needles on the evergreen tree point up toward Heaven reminding us that Heaven can be our home for eternity.  In I Timothy 1:1, Timothy reminds us that Jesus Christ is our HOPE!!  We can have HOPE that we can live a Christ filled life.  We can have HOPE to prosper and to have a future with Christ.  We can have HOPE that the world we live in will turn from evil and put God first in our homes, schools, communities and government.  We can have the HOPE that one day we will walk through the gates of Heaven and bow at the feet of the King of Kings and live with Him there for eternity. 
  So, as you look at the Christmas tree this year, remember that it represents the unchanging, ever-present HOPE that can only be found in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior!!

PCHeflin 

Is it Christmas Time Already?

I can not believe that Christmas is here!  In two day we will be opening presents, eating our big dinner, laughing with family, and celebrating the birth of Christ!!  Each year around Thanksgiving we begin pulling out the tree or heading out to cut one down.  Then we start getting our lights and ornaments out and transforming our homes and yards into winter wonderlands.  However, each year more and more people do not want you to say Merry Christmas and ask, "why do you go through so much trouble decorating?"  Some people complain about the manger being displayed.  As Christmas approaches, I began thinking about all the decorations and what they each mean.  So, for the next few days I will be sharing on here what our Christmas decorations mean and how they relate to our faith.

PCHeflin