My Christmas Tree

"My Christmas Tree" has always been a favorite song among those who have heard it, from people in the church I grew up in, through my college years, and still today. This is one of the earliest songs I've written. My high school band director and good friend, Jim Par-Due, suggested the title for this song and I took him up on the challenge to write something. The bridge was added several years later.

This song questions the significance of the Christmas tree as we know it today and proclaims that the cross or "tree" on Mount Calvery, where Christ was crucified, is the real tree that should be revered at Christmas time. As I wrote this song I discovered many similarities between the Christmas tree and the cross.

The star or angel on the top of the tree symbolizes the proclamation of the star and the angels that the Savior has come. The cross also proclaimed with a sign nailed to the top of the cross that Jesus was the Savior of the Jews.

The fir tree is said to have been used by a monk in Germany, because it was an evergreen and because of it's triangular shape, to teach people about the Trinity and of God's salvation. The cross reminds us of the death of Christ for our salvation, which was the Father's plan, fulfilled by Christ, and sealed in us by the Holy Spirit for all eternity.

Ornaments on Christmas trees were originally fruit, nuts, and berries that symbolized the return of life in the spring. Jesus claimed to be "the way, the truth, and the life" and his place on the cross was imperitive to fulfill His claim. The cross is our symbol of hope for life eternal in Jesus Christ.

In addition to ornaments, presents were often put in or on the Christmas tree. Jesus was put on the cross as God's gift to man, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."