ANGEL TREE
Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar were as lost as they had been the whole journey. “Wait, weren’t we following a star?” said Melchior. “Yes, we were. Where did it go?” said Caspar. But Balthazar was already walking towards something shining brightly in the distance. They followed and when they arrived. It was the Angel Tree lit up in the Narthex of CUMC. There was only one donation left on the tree. They took it down. “Is this all?” said Caspar. “Well, we will do it. And perhaps God will see that we have done it and bring us our star back.” said Balthazar.
SCRIPTURE
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. (Matthew 2:9-10)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:12-17)
FOOLISH WISDOM: This is the beautiful thing about the Angel tree many churches have in their narthex. As the ornaments disappear, so does a need. The more bare the tree becomes, the more fulfilled the surrounding community is. Eventually the tree will be completely bare, its branches removed, a cross bar affixed upon it, and upon the tree Jesus will die and then be resurrected. (Matt Rawles, The Heart that Grew Three Sizes)
MUSIC SELECTION:
O Come, All Ye Faithful arranged by David Schelat
© 2014 Birnamwood Publications
Laura Hesse, organ
The music is presented with permission under One License X-732009.