Titus 2:11-14New International Version (NIV)
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
"Please take my house plants home with you until we get settled in our new home." Loaded into our van were Doug's prize-winning coleus, Harry's plant from his office, Jane's poinsettia (bought to lift their spirits while preparing for a move after Christmas) and a lovely little Norfolk pine.
After we got home, we put them all into our sunroom and forgot about them in our frenzy of Christmas decorating. One afternoon, I sat out in the sunroom reading our Christmas cards. With each card came a wave of memories shared with each sender. While reflecting on these memories, I glanced into the family room at our beautifully adorned Christmas tree. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that little Norfolk pine looking like the lovely but sad Cinderella next to her fancy step-sister.
My mind, still filled with memories of friends, wandered briefly to that Norfolk pine which seemed to need some cheering up. I glanced back at my Christmas cards and saw a photo of a high school friend with her family. Inspiration send me running in all directions for a pencil, ribbon, scissors, cookie cutters, a hole puncher and all those photos saved from Christmas cards over the years.
After tracing the shape of the cookie cutter on the back of each photo, I cut it out, put a piece of ribbon through a hole and tied it onto the Norfolk Pine Soon, we had our "Friendship Tree"---a visual reminder of loved ones far away.
Postscript: the tree has long since died, but I still had some of the ornaments. All of these children are grown-up---some with children of their own.
Reprinted with permission of the author from St. Mark's booklet from 1985 Thoughts on Advent.
The Friendship Tree
"Please take my house plants home with you until we get settled in our new home." Loaded into our van were Doug's prize-winning coleus, Harry's plant from his office, Jane's poinsettia (bought to lift their spirits while preparing for a move after Christmas) and a lovely little Norfolk pine.
After we got home, we put them all into our sunroom and forgot about them in our frenzy of Christmas decorating. One afternoon, I sat out in the sunroom reading our Christmas cards. With each card came a wave of memories shared with each sender. While reflecting on these memories, I glanced into the family room at our beautifully adorned Christmas tree. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that little Norfolk pine looking like the lovely but sad Cinderella next to her fancy step-sister.
My mind, still filled with memories of friends, wandered briefly to that Norfolk pine which seemed to need some cheering up. I glanced back at my Christmas cards and saw a photo of a high school friend with her family. Inspiration send me running in all directions for a pencil, ribbon, scissors, cookie cutters, a hole puncher and all those photos saved from Christmas cards over the years.After tracing the shape of the cookie cutter on the back of each photo, I cut it out, put a piece of ribbon through a hole and tied it onto the Norfolk Pine Soon, we had our "Friendship Tree"---a visual reminder of loved ones far away.
Now when we receive a card from my cousin in Minnesota, whom the children don't remember meeting six years ago, we can go to our Friendship Tree to see his photo. Once a forlorn, homeless tree, now the pine is the center of our holiday attention as we remember our friends and family scattered all over the world.
Prayer: We thank thee, Lord, for this time to remember the warmth of our friends, our glowing memories of Christmases past, and our love which reaches friends and family everywhere. Amen
Postscript: the tree has long since died, but I still had some of the ornaments. All of these children are grown-up---some with children of their own.
Reprinted with permission of the author from St. Mark's booklet from 1985 Thoughts on Advent.
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