Oh, Christmas Tree

by Rod Hetherton

Today we went to find the perfect Christmas tree. It was an amazing little journey, and things proceeded rather smoothly -- for the most part. I found myself reflecting on my family and our little trip and realized that finding the perfect little Christmas tree taught me many little lessons.

Mission Prep: Deploying the Troops

We pulled into the tree farm separately. I had to drive the S-10 to load up the tree, and Heather drove the mini-van so the kids could come along. As we jumped out we realized idea #1 was out. The land was too icy and muddy to take the double stroller. Andrew would have to walk -- he likes that now, being almost two -- and Heather would carry Jacob.

As we approached the barn, the lady asked, "Are ya here to get yourselves a Christmas tree?"

Of course, she was talking to Andrew, as most adults do. Somehow having children voids your existence or something. I haven't figured that one out yet. Maybe it's because Andrew is so much cuter than the rest of us in his little coat, hat, and mittens.

"Yes." Andrew's usual answer. Good thing she asked a yes or no question.

"All tree's are $25. You cut them yourself," said the man as he handed me a saw and Andrew a foam sheet for kneeling when cutting the tree. Moments later, we were off down the trail.

The Mission: Find the Perfect Christmas Tree

As we walked back I had to pick Andrew up a couple of times, but he reassured Heather and I that he was having fun. Jacob just stared off in one of those "I'm still half asleep" stares.

Then Heather saw it: the perfect tree. Unfortunately, three young people in their late teens or early twenties were circling it. I held my breath for a second, but we were in luck. As we approached, they wandered away in another direction.

We decided it was the one. Andrew handed me the foam, and I cut it down in two minutes flat. It was amazing! Never before had we met the perfect tree on our first look, and never before was I able to cut one down in so short a time.

In short order we were off, dragging the tree back to the barn. Andrew kept falling down on the ice. Laughing and giggling, he would get back up only to do it all over again. It was a pretty funny sight and we all laughed as we were almost to the barn -- except Jacob, of course, who was still just staring off, lost in his own little world.

The lady, again to Andrew, asked, "Did you find the perfect Christmas tree?"

Andrew responded as usual: "Yes!"

The man trimmed up the tree and then put it on one of those big shaker machines. Andrew got a tad bit scared and jumped into my arms. It was amazing to see all the dead needles fly off the tree. Heather and I were glad they were coming off here and not at home. The tree was then put through a bundler and carried to our truck.

Red Alert: "We have a man down!"

It was unbelievable. I had never had such a perfect journey. It was quick, painless, and we found the perfect tree. I should've known it was too good to be true.

As the man was turning away from our S-10, he accidentally backed into Andrew, stepped on his foot, and sent our "almost two-year old" toppling to the ground.

Andrew wailed...

I picked him up and tried to get him to look at the man, to reassure him and the poor man that everything was fine. It didn't work. He screamed and wailed, and buried his head in my coat. Tears, snot, and cries came flowing out of him. We thanked the man, put Andrew in his car seat, and he whimpered all the way home.

It had been an enlightening day.

Life Lesson #1: You'll get knocked down, but you can get back up.

Sometimes, as you seem to be rolling through life rather smoothly, something will come out of nowhere and put you flat on your back. It startles you, because you didn't see it coming and it can pack quite a hurtful punch. It could be an end of a relationship, the loss of a job, an unexpected change in health, or even a death.

You gotta get back up! Maybe not right away, but eventually you have to brush it off. You have to get back on the road of life. These are the times where it is helpful to have a caring family and friends to surround you. It is important to get comfort, feel loved, and allow yourself time to heal.

Life Lesson # 2: Life is exciting. Don't miss it!

It is not Jacob's fault that he is only a baby. Being the baby, he often misses out on some of the purely joyous occasions. Yet sometimes that is how we go through life. For one reason or another you just feel numb to the world, sort of staring out into nothing.

You have to be proactive and pull yourself out of the fog. Do something you enjoy. Join a health club and start a regular exercise routine that gets your heart pumping again. Try going to the movies once a month. Call an old friend and chat or get together and have dinner.

Life Lesson # 3: Shake out the dead needles before they make a mess.

The tree shaker was quite a powerful machine. I don't think there was one dead needle on that tree when it was all done. As Christmas quickly approaches, it is important to give ourselves a shake-out. Shake out all the holiday blahs. Shake out all the bad habits. Shake out all the grievances and ill will.

After all, the season of Lent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ -- the greatest gift ever. So it wouldn't hurt to try to gain a little focus and get rid of the dead weight in our lives. It is time to start anew.

Life Lesson #4: Enjoy the hunt. The quest is often as valuable as the treasure.

The perfect Christmas tree now stands tall and beautifully decorated in our living room. But the perfect tree isn't the real story here. The real story was the hunt for the perfect tree. Sometimes the hunt is pretty fun, as it was today. Sometimes it is not.

Today I enjoyed the crisp clean air. I enjoyed my comical "almost two-year old", as he engaged others in conversation and stumbled along the icy path. I enjoyed our family going on a mission to find the perfect Christmas tree.

I encourage you to take the time to go on your own hunt this season. Find joy in being with your family. Find the humor in the little trips and spills. Engage others in conversation. Be the light of Christ for your family and all those you meet this year. Go on a quest and seek out the treasures that are all around you!

Life Applications:

Are you awake and aware of the journey you are on right now?

What are the "dead needles" that you need to get rid of this Christmas season?

Have you planned on doing that one special thing with your family this year?

Copyright 2002 by Rod Hetherton 
All rights reserved.