When my husband suggested we place a second Christmas tree in the front room, I knew I must have misunderstood him. This is a man who loves Christmas decorated with more simplicity and less clutter.
Before he could change his mind, we had that tree up and decorated. Yet something was missing: the gifts.
So began a new tradition. A Jesus tree. Each time we served someone, gave to someone in need, or loved on someone, it became a gift under the tree. A sort of birthday gift to Jesus – to celebrate the ultimate Gift, salvation through Christ. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Little notes scribbled on index cards might read, “Gave my allowance to buy a soccer ball for World Vision,” or “Chose to forgive my brother when he stole my toast,” or “prayed for X” or “sent a letter to Y.” These notes would be placed in envelopes addressed to Jesus. Little boxes were wrapped and tied up with ribbons, addressed to Jesus, filled with all the ways we were going through Christmas with eyes wide open for Him.
Rather than stumbling into opportunities to serve Christ, I saw my children seeking those moments. They were intentionally creating ways to show the love of Christ.
Intentionally moving through the season seemed to slow time. When time moves slower, we linger a bit longer. The memories, they penetrate a bit deeper – they have time to soak into the parts of our soul that are longing for more of Christ.
The visual image of the number of gifts under our “Jesus” tree compared to the number of gifts under our family tree was a powerful reminder to us where our hearts were. Each time we walked by the Jesus tree and saw only a few gifts, we were encouraged to seek opportunities to serve Jesus, to shine His light for the world to see.
To see my children excited to serve others so they could wrap a gift for Jesus is a moment in time I will treasure forever. To hear them discussing how they could do something and wrap a gift for Jesus rather than focusing on creating their own personal wish list was a priceless snapshot in time.
Christmas holds a unique opportunity for creating memories with the ones we love. Moments in time are etched into the deepest corners of our souls. Those moments shape us.
For some of us, the Christmas season can feel like a blizzard, blowing in hard and fast, burying us under mounds of parties, activities, shopping, and all kinds of chaos. We find ourselves wondering how we can slow the storm of time so we can focus on what really matters: Christ.
This Christmas allow yourself to enjoy the gift of each moment you are given. Savor it, slow to watch it unfold before you as you are fully present in the moments. When time feels slower, we are able to see the true gift of Christmas.
Sometimes the simplest acts, the smallest traditions, make the biggest difference. To others. To us.
Leave a Comment
Marcy says
Rather than stumbling into opportunities …They were intentionally creating ways to show the love of Christ.
I love this!!
Even further than teaching out children to be thankful and see the gifts in all circumstances, you’re teaching them to BE the gift. Beautiful post!
Renee Robinson says
Thank you, Marcy. I agree with you. There is more we can do outside of teaching gratitude. Christ is our gift and He intends for us to serve as the gift to His children. Interesting thing about being the gift is that we find ourselves on both the receiving and giving end. We receive an unexpected gift of joy. Merry Christmas!
Elina says
“Intentionally moving through the season seemed to slow time. When time moves slower, we linger a bit longer”….. Your words are beautiful, meaningful and inspiring. Thank you!
Renee Robinson says
Oh Elina, thank you. I hope you have a blessed Christmas!
shelly says
I am going to start doing this with my children next year!
I have a 15 year old, and an 12 year old and they need to be reminded of EVERYTHING, but I can find the patience to create this tree for reminders of what really matters.
Thank you for an awesome idea!
Renee Robinson says
You are welcome! I imagine this would be very powerful in the lives of teenagers. Have fun with it!
Hope says
I love love love this! When I first started reading I thought the 2nd tree was to put gifts under for say ‘the poor and needy’ but I think this is way more powerful. And the kids being so involved and excited is awesome and refreshing.
My husband of one year and I talk a lot about Christmas, traditions and gift giving. And we do that before there are any children. We both see so much craziness around us around this time of year and why? Why go so crazy and be stressed out in this season. We would like to focus on the meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus. So up to now we have decided gifts are not part of that. In our opinion the gifts have little to do with Christmas. We also do not have a Christmas tree. We still have sweet decorations, we will do stockings, and in the future we would like to teach our children Christmas is about giving by giving to the poor. So thanks for the encouragement. So far people are looking funny at us for thinking this way.
Jill says
Hope,
I am a newlywed also, and my husband and I have the same mentality. We did gifts for family (wedding pictures!), but we don’t exchange gifts with one another. Instead, we pray together over the Compassion International gift book and use the money we would spend on eachother toward blessing someone else. This is our third year of doing this (we did it when we were dating) and we’ve done a cow, chickens and goats, and this year I think we are going to do water for a family for life. To me, searching my brain for something I “want” or think I need is just silly, and it doesn’t reflect the heart of Christmas. Merry Christmas!
Renee Robinson says
Hope- how precious that you and your husband are beginning your Christmas celebrations focused on the true meaning so early on. What a difference you and your husband are making!
Renee Robinson says
Jill and Hope-I love to read how your families choose to celebrate the true meaning. The season has become complicated in the craziness. But when we slow down and focus on the true gift, it’s amazing the impact it has. Thank you for sharing about your family celebrations.
karyn says
I slow down completely. Enjoying the intimate moments with JESUS. It’s like the open portal. Open heavens. Like on the day JESUS was born. MESSIAH came down as a Baby. I savour the moments at Christmas. Signs and wonders of HIS LOVE. Very quiet and intimate time with JESUS and my husband. In union and communion with Christ.
🙂
Renee Robinson says
Karyn- Amen!!!
Mindy says
Oh my – how much I love this! That is a Christmas tree worth keeping all year long…
Renee Robinson says
I agree Mindy!
Lisa says
This is such a great message! I saw this video online about giving gifts to Christ. It was so sweet and uplifting…But, two trees? Jeesh, my house can hardly make room for one. 😉
Renee Robinson says
Ha Ha! Yes, 2 trees is a bit much. This year we have the family tree downstairs and the kids have a very small tree upstairs for their ornaments. This is now our Jesus tree 🙂
Kayla @ Number One Petersons says
Oh wow, I love this! With only 6 days to go until Christmas, I’m still going to start this, this year! My daughter is only 5 months old but I am excited to share this tradition with her. Thank you for sharing.
Renee Robinson says
Kayla- Yes even if there were only 1 day left it would be worth it. I agree with earlier comments too that this could be carried on all year long. Have fun with it!
Joanne Peterson says
I love this idea and I want to start doing this. My boys and I the other day rad about the wise men, and talked about the gifts. My two and three year olds I think could grasp this. We have said Santa is fun to pretend, but we have Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. We give gifts to those who don’t have, but I love the Christ-like actions as giving gifts to other people, living like Jesus, to give Jesus a present. As one person who commented, this should be extended to all year. I think this could seamlessly be put right in to what we have been already been talking about with my two little boys. Thank you for sharing this tradition.
Renee Robinson says
Joanne- Your boys would have so much fun with this. Even if some of the ideas were just very simple to lay the foundation for a life of giving. Merry Christmas!
Holley Gerth says
What a fantastic idea, Renee! Love, love this!
Renee Robinson says
Thank you, Holley! Merry Christmas!
aplaceforthoughts says
I love this! My children are 4 and 2 and I love this idea. We’ve been doing little things here and there but next year I want a second tree for this purpose. Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and yours~
Renee Robinson says
Merry Christmas to you as well!
Rebecca says
We have the same tradition! Except we use a Jesus stocking instead of a tree. I *love* watching the kids intentionally serve Christ through whatever they have….waffles, Polly pockets, and awana bucks. Greatest Christmas tradition we have ever done! Thank you for sharing and encouraging others!
Renee Robinson says
Oh I love the stocking idea! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!!
Ellie says
What an incredible idea! My children are “grown” up now, one still in college, but I think this would be a great tradition to start even now! My youngest has such a huge heart for the Lord and for those that are in need! I think this will be a new trasition for our home and we will pass it on to our grandson and future grandchildren!
Thank you so much and may you have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Renee Robinson says
Ellie- Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. I hope this becomes a wonderful tradition for your family that will be passed down.
Beth WIlliams says
What a great idea. My hubby and I don’t usually exchange gifts at Christmas. Last year we started a new tradition. We adopt a Salvation Army child and buy for that person. This year we adopted 2 children. It was fun shopping for someone else.
Back years ago when I was single I would adopt a “needy” person from Good Samaritan Ministries. One year I adopted an elderly person. I felt privileged to be able to help someone have a nice merry Christmas that might not otherwise.
Thanks for sharing this truly meaningful story! Merry Christmas everyone!
Renee Robinson says
Beth,
What wonderful ways you were able to bless others. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Paula Jennings says
what a wonderful tradition!