Christmas is More than a Baby and a Tree

Even Christmas trees make news in December.

For example, one town in Pennsylvania has embraced its “Charlie Brown” tree, and residents have come together to show that even the lowliest of conditions can turn into something special.

Reading, Pa., has decided to keep its “ugly” official city Christmas tree after residents at first balked at the 50-foot Norway spruce with its bare spots and asymmetrical branches. At the outset, the Berks County community wanted to trade in the tree for a more fitting specimen. After all, Pennsylvania is one of the largest producers of Christmas trees in the nation. Even the White House Christmas tree this year came from the Keystone State.

But rather than strive for a “perfect” tree, the city decided to give the tree a little love, just as the characters in the classic holiday special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” did. Workers wrapped the base of the tree in a blue blanket, and this past weekend, city residents gathered together to give the tree some love and some decorations.

It’s a lesson that not everything is perfect at Christmas—and it’s not all about the tree—or even a baby.

The Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net) reminds all of us that Christmas is not about trees or gifts or even a baby in a manger.

“The prophet Isaiah said, ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, but He is much more,” said Sam Rohrer, President of PPN and the American Pastors Network (APN,www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net). “Look beyond the baby in the manger this Christmas; look beyond the tree. As Isaiah said, ‘Upon this baby’s shoulder is laid the government that shall last forever, for this baby is also the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He’s the King of Kings who will one day rule with a rod of iron.

“While the world entertains the babe in the manger and focuses on the lighted tree, it rejects Jesus Christ as King,” Rohrer continued. “As a baby, He comes in love and offers salvation for all who believe, but for those who don’t, He’ll sit as the Great Judge in all His justice. We must be ready to meet Him at the stable but worship and obey Him like the King He is.”