The Christmas Tree
I have come to know of a family that is almost perfect. The parents have a stable job. The kids, although they have obvious differences, are well-grown and are good at almost everything especially at school. The family is almost perfect - almost. The only thing is, the family is not that close. They seldom talk and they seldom go out together. Their family bond is not that tight, that is why frequent misunderstandings uproot.
One of those misunderstandings happened at the third Sunday of Advent. It was almost Christmas. The family was preparing their house for this once-in-a-year celebration. The mother, who is always talkative, said, " Let us buy a new Christmas tree, since our old one is a small and worn out. A bigger tree will be better. However, I don't have the time to go to the mall." She then asked her husband if he has time to go to the mall. The father, who is very thrifty, responsible and diligent said, "Maybe I can manage to go inside the mall for a few minutes before my appointment will start tomorrow."
And indeed, the father had time to buy a new Christmas Tree. However, it was a bit small, like the old one, because he doesn't have any more time to look for another one. So, he carried it until he came to his office.
When he got home and showed the Christmas Tree to his wife, his wife, apparently shocked at the size of the Tree, not thinking what she will do, exclaimed, " Why is this as short as the old one! I said to buy a bigger Tree!" " Do you know how much burden is that tree when I carried it from that mall to my office!", the father replied in a loud, cold voice. " And do you stop to think at how much money will it cost us to buy that big Tree? You don't stop to think first, that's your problem! You always talk ill to me whenever I made a mistake. It's like I'm not part of the family! Do you want me to get out of this house!"
The mother apologized to his husband who stormed into the room. However, the husband would not talk. So, the mother unwrapped the Christmas Tree, let it stand and decorated it. She later came back to her husband and said in a soft, gentle voice that seemed impossible for her to utter, " I decorated the Tree. It is very nice now." " Do you think I will like that Tree now? That tree symbolizes how you made me feel like a servant.", the father said while walking to his son's room and slept there.
It was indeed a very sad situation. The parents were quarelling. And what's worse? It is only about a tiny Christmas Tree. Where would the spirit of Christmas wander after that dispute? Christmas is the season for giving and forgiving. If the parents would forgive each other, their Christmas will be the most beautiful Christmas ever because Christmas is all about forgiving. The gift of peace and acceptance would be the nicest gift you could give. And the Christmas Tree? It will not be a symbol of dispute but a symbol of forgiveness which is what it really symbolizes - God's forgiving heart. Shiny balls, dazzling mistletoes and large gifts wrapped with silver and gold do not make a great and grand Christmas Tree! Being a witness of how forgiveness prevails in a home makes it a one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree.
I think the parents' misunderstanding is an opportunity. An oppotunity for them to be closer. An opportunity for the almost-perfect family to tighten their bond. A chance to make their family perfect at the yuletide season. God really grants wishes, but what he gives us are not always what we ask for. If we pray for bravery, do you think God will give us bravery there and then? Or if we pray for patience, do you think God will magically make us patient? No, He gives us the opportunity to be brave or to be patient. If we pray for our families to be closer, do you think God will give us that crazy feeling all of the sudden? No, he gives us trials, problems and obstacles as opportunities to tighten the family bond - to make our families closer. Merry Christmas!
One of those misunderstandings happened at the third Sunday of Advent. It was almost Christmas. The family was preparing their house for this once-in-a-year celebration. The mother, who is always talkative, said, " Let us buy a new Christmas tree, since our old one is a small and worn out. A bigger tree will be better. However, I don't have the time to go to the mall." She then asked her husband if he has time to go to the mall. The father, who is very thrifty, responsible and diligent said, "Maybe I can manage to go inside the mall for a few minutes before my appointment will start tomorrow."
And indeed, the father had time to buy a new Christmas Tree. However, it was a bit small, like the old one, because he doesn't have any more time to look for another one. So, he carried it until he came to his office.
When he got home and showed the Christmas Tree to his wife, his wife, apparently shocked at the size of the Tree, not thinking what she will do, exclaimed, " Why is this as short as the old one! I said to buy a bigger Tree!" " Do you know how much burden is that tree when I carried it from that mall to my office!", the father replied in a loud, cold voice. " And do you stop to think at how much money will it cost us to buy that big Tree? You don't stop to think first, that's your problem! You always talk ill to me whenever I made a mistake. It's like I'm not part of the family! Do you want me to get out of this house!"
The mother apologized to his husband who stormed into the room. However, the husband would not talk. So, the mother unwrapped the Christmas Tree, let it stand and decorated it. She later came back to her husband and said in a soft, gentle voice that seemed impossible for her to utter, " I decorated the Tree. It is very nice now." " Do you think I will like that Tree now? That tree symbolizes how you made me feel like a servant.", the father said while walking to his son's room and slept there.
It was indeed a very sad situation. The parents were quarelling. And what's worse? It is only about a tiny Christmas Tree. Where would the spirit of Christmas wander after that dispute? Christmas is the season for giving and forgiving. If the parents would forgive each other, their Christmas will be the most beautiful Christmas ever because Christmas is all about forgiving. The gift of peace and acceptance would be the nicest gift you could give. And the Christmas Tree? It will not be a symbol of dispute but a symbol of forgiveness which is what it really symbolizes - God's forgiving heart. Shiny balls, dazzling mistletoes and large gifts wrapped with silver and gold do not make a great and grand Christmas Tree! Being a witness of how forgiveness prevails in a home makes it a one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree.
I think the parents' misunderstanding is an opportunity. An oppotunity for them to be closer. An opportunity for the almost-perfect family to tighten their bond. A chance to make their family perfect at the yuletide season. God really grants wishes, but what he gives us are not always what we ask for. If we pray for bravery, do you think God will give us bravery there and then? Or if we pray for patience, do you think God will magically make us patient? No, He gives us the opportunity to be brave or to be patient. If we pray for our families to be closer, do you think God will give us that crazy feeling all of the sudden? No, he gives us trials, problems and obstacles as opportunities to tighten the family bond - to make our families closer. Merry Christmas!
