When I was a kid, my church did a Living Christmas Tree program each Christmas season. The event was very much a product of 1980s church culture. It featured a massive steel-framed Christmas tree that rose from the base of the stage to inches from the high ceiling. The tree was constructed to support ascending rows of choir members who stood behind the tree's greenery with only their heads and shoulders exposed. The large choir would perform from the tree, while drama skits and small musical ensembles would perform on stages to the left and right of the tree. The event featured a full orchestra and the spectacle of lights on the tree. I loved it and looked forward to it each year. Over the years, there were common themes that were used year after year. One of these was a narration that made a distinction between the Christmas tree and the cross. With only the Christmas lights on the massive Christmas tree illuminated, the narration would speak of the traditions and significance of the Christmas tree. After speaking of "this tree," the narrator would then turn his attention to "that tree." At that moment, the sparkling Christmas lights would fade out, and the shape of a cross formed by simple white lights would appear. It was simple but dramatic and very effective. All these years later, that narration is what stands out in my memory above all the other more grandiose moments of the show.

Years later, when, as a pastor, I had the responsibility to plan Christmas worship services, I desired to share with my church the dramatic contrast between the Christmas tree and the cross tree. So, working from my own memory of what I experienced as a child, I wrote the following text and have read it many times over the years at Christmas Eve services (since then my home church has posted photos of this event that include the “Two trees… This tree… That tree…” script on Facebook. See the photo). As we prepare again this year for Christmas day I pray that "The Christmas Tree and the Cross" will be a blessing to you.

The Christmas Tree and the Cross

The Christmas tree has become the ubiquitous symbol of Christmas. On its branches, we hang ornaments of beauty, ornaments of remembrance, and ornaments of declaration. For many of us, our Christmas trees are the bearers of some of our greatest treasures. Styrofoam adorned with pipe cleaners created by a child that’s now an adult, figurines purchased in far-off places that tell stories of adventures had, or even old and faded ones that once were the treasured ornaments of one who now celebrates in the presence of the Lord. It is, whether adorned with priceless treasures or costly adornments, a part of our celebration of Christmas. On Christmas morning this tree will be the centerpiece of our excitement as we rip the paper and open the boxes of our gifts to one another.

The Christmas tree is one that summons thoughts of joy and happiness and all the goodness this season brings. Yet there is another tree that is even greater than this one. Upon it, we do not hang ornaments or decorations, yet it is even more significant to the Christmas story than the Christmas tree. Upon it there are no Christmas lights yet because of it, light all together was hidden from the earth for most of a day, and because of it, the light of the world penetrated men’s hearts. For though the Christmas tree is the great emblem of our celebration it is because of the cross tree we have hope.

Under the Christmas tree, we place our gifts to one another. It marks the spot where families will gather to enjoy the jolly and celebration of Christmas morn. Around it we will sit among the sea of wrapping paper, admiring our gifts, and thanking the gift-givers. Yet on the cross, the greatest gift of all eternity was offered. For it marks the spot where the Christ, the promised messiah, the perfect lamb of God, the righteous branch of David, the one who Isaiah called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, eternal Father, and the Prince of Peace, offered his blameless life as the propitiation for our sin. For Christ “had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)

Around the Christmas tree, we gather to enjoy the warm relationships of our kin and those whom we love. It adorns our churches and our homes and is one of the most prolific symbols of Christmas. It often marks the place where we will celebrate Christmas day. Yet around the cross gathered witnesses, both sympathetic and hostile, to unknowingly watch the most extravagant price ever paid on our behalf, so that the broken relationship between God and man might be restored. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

The Christmas tree points toward heaven. We reserve the top for the grandest ornament. These ornaments often are images of angels, the messengers of God, or of a star, which God used to lead some of the first worshipers to the feet of King Jesus. The cross does not point to heaven, but rather is the way by which all those who shall know the freedom from sin must pass. For Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

On the Christmas tree, we place hundreds of tiny lights. Displayed in prominent places, this light illuminates its surroundings with a delicate glow. With this light, we are enabled to see and the darkness retreats. Yet, on the cross hung the light of the world who overcame the darkness. For Christ Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) It is because of this great gift of light we worship in joyful celebration. For the prophet Isaiah would write about the promised messiah that “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The law of light demands that wherever light shines, darkness must flee. Through a virgin’s womb, in the midst of the most humble of surroundings of a stable, came God himself, the author and creator of light. And in so doing, the light of the world confronted the darkness. A confrontation that would crescendo at the cross. Through this mighty confrontation, the light overcame the darkness. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

Therefore, let us be the light of the gospel and proclaim to one another, and the world, that the messiah has come. Joy to the world! The people who once were enslaved in darkness have seen a great light!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

let ev’ry heart prepare him room

and heav’n and nature sing,

and heav’n and nature sing,

and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ,

while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow

nor thorns infest the ground;

he comes to make his blessings flow

far as the curse is found,

far as the curse is found,

far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace

and makes the nations prove

the glories of his righteousness

and wonders of his love,

and wonders of his love,

and wonders, wonders of his love.