Meditation on a Christmas Tree

Jim Coggins

It was several years ago now, and it came at a difficult time in our lives. Yet it stands out in my memory very clearly. It was a simple event, an afternoon spent decorating our Christmas tree. My wife Jackie and I had put the tree up the night before, and we allowed our daughters, seven-year-old Christine and three-year-old Jaeda, to put on the decorations--with a little supervision.

When we were finished, it was darkening twilight. We turned on the Christmas tree lights, turned off the house lights, put some Christmas carols on low on the stereo and all sat down on the floor together to look at the tree. The lights refected off the tinsel, making shimmering coloured hairlines of light on the walls and ceiling, like living marble.

In Christian symbolism, the evergreen tree represents life, resurrection and the risen Christ--because the evergreen is green and alive in winter when other plants are dead or dormant.

Reflectively watching the lights, I thought how this tree represents our life. We have, I would guess, well over a hundred tree ornaments in a wide variety of shapes and sizes--and many have special significance. Some I had before we were married. Some were Jackie's. Some are old ones my parents gave us. Others we purchased over the years. Some represent our own creativity; they were made by Jackie and Christine (and now Jaeda). There are a few beautiful, delicate glass ones, made by impoverished overseas craftsmen, their work marketed through the relief and development agency Mennonite Central Committee. Many are gifts from relatives and friends. There is a series of small wooden ones Jackie's sister sent her every year. There is the large "Baby's first Christmas" from the year when Christine was a new baby. There is the cute mouse a friend's daughter was selling as a school project--it reminds us of our friends, now living far away. Many we can no longer remember when we received them or from whom.

How like our life is this tree of ornaments. Many people, family and friends, have contributed bits of beauty to our tree and to our lives. We are grateful for each one--but somehow the whole is greater than the parts. The hundred tiny ornaments combine to make a thing of multiform beauty--a well-decorated tree. Similarly, small acts of love and care by friends and family have enriched our lives, producing a beautiful whole, full of love and joy and fond memories. We are perhaps forgetful now of the origins of some of the contributions, but profoundly grateful, feeling we have been deeply blessed.

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