Examining the forlorn, misshapen tree standing in the snow on the cover of a book I was reading last week called Grandma’s Christmas Legacy, I was reminded of the Christmas tree we had at my house when I was a child.

When I was six years old, my parents did not have much money to spend at Christmas. In order for my parents to have enough money to buy a present for me, they decided to cut a branch from our juniper tree in the yard for our Christmas tree. At the time I remember thinking disappointed I was at this ugly, straggly, and misshapen tree.  I so wished they would buy a tree from a Christmas tree lot in town like others.

However, I recently found a picture taken that year with me standing by the branch (tree). After we had decorated it with a garland made of popcorn and cranberries, hung a few ornaments, and silver tinsel, the tree did not look too bad.

Now when I remember what the straggly juniper branch looked like and compare it to the beautifully, decorated shaped tree in my home I see it differently. I see the straggly forlorn branch as a person’s life without God or one depleted from nourishment, and I see the beautiful shaped tree in my home as a person’s life filled with God’s love, purpose,  and decorated with ornaments representing the fruit of the Spirit.

God can take a straggly, forlorn life and transform it into a beautiful shaped fulfilled life. Jesus tells us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  He can change the straggly life into a beautiful new life, a flourishing life, filled with love, peace and joy if we believe in him.

Often, our lives can become damaged and appear like a straggly, forlorn tree, misshapen by the trials, challenges, and disappointments of life. However, our lives can be transformed by the renewing of our minds with His Word into flourishing lives.

God promises that when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, giving Him every area of our lives, we will take on a true and proper shape. We will become a flourishing tree pointing others to God.

When you see a Christmas tree this year, I hope it reminds you of the new life we can have in Christ Jesus, everlasting life when we invite Him into our lives and trust Him with the challenges and disappointments of life.

Do you or any of your family members feel like a tree twisted, damaged, and made crooked by the fears, circumstances, difficulties, or sin in their lives? Do you or any of your family members feel all alone in this world? God is waiting to give your tree new life, nourishment and fulfillment.

• Ask God to show you, your children, and grandchildren areas that need to be humbly submitted to the Lord, laying down all before Him as the wise men did when they brought their gifts to baby Jesus.
• Pray God will help you, your children, and grandchildren to relinquish the damaged, flawed, and misshapen areas of life to the Lord, resulting in flourishing beautiful God-shaped lives for Him.

Send us a comment below with your Christmas memory.

To learn more about the straggly forlorn tree in the snow on the cover of “Grandma’s Christmas Legacy, The Testimony of the Tree.” you may purchase the book on our Christian Grandparenting website. I have really enjoyed reading Casey Schutrop’s book, “Grandma’s Christmas Legacy, The Testimony Of The Tree” I think you will too. This book provides excellent Christmas reading and a memory maker for families to share and pass on for generations to come.

©2009 Lillian Penner

Comments (2)

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Thank you, Lillian
written by Lydia Harris, December 08, 2009

Dear Lillian,

I appreciate your writing and prayer ministry to grandparents.

I believe we met at OCW a few years ago. I've just finished writing a Bible study for grandparents. It is scheduled to be released June 2010 by AMG Publishers. It's part of a Bible study series called "Preparing My Heart." My study is titled, "Preparing my Heart for Grandparenting: For Grandparents at Any Stage of the Journey." I pray it will bless many and impact future generations. After it's published, I'll be glad to send you a complimentary copy.

God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

Lydia Harris

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Response to L. Harris
written by Lillian, December 09, 2009

Lydia,
Do you live in the Portland area? I would love to get in touch with you. Send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Blessings,
Lillian

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