Unexpected Generosity is Evergreen: The Christmas Tree

First published Friday, December 19, 2008 in The Daily Sentinel



My mother claimed victory over cancer 25 years ago by going home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. If I have any talent in writing, it comes from her. I shared this story last year at Christmas, and I think I will make it my annual Christmas tradition – the sharing of “The Christmas Tree.” Merry Christmas!


They were young; they were poor; and it was almost Christmas. Joe and Mary had experienced more than their share of difficulties that year. Because of Mary’s illness, the doctor bills were eating into their small salary with precious little left over for the necessities — much less the luxuries like Christmas. But there was the child to consider: little Joey was only three, yet surely he deserved some sort of Christmas.

Mary scrimped on the grocery budget and managed to save a tiny sum. Together she and Joe went downtown to the variety store. It was filled to overflowing with dolls, games, trucks and cars. Little Joey’s eyes sparkled as they pushed him up and down the aisles. Then he saw it — the item that captured his heart. It was a small red cowboy hat.

Mary’s own heart leaped for joy! It only cost 98 cents. They could afford the hat, plus a set of toy guns, and still have two dollars left to buy a tree. After all, a little boy needs a tree even if he is only two.

Joe and Mary hurried over to the Christmas tree lot. Silently Mary prayed, “Please God, let us find a tree for only two dollars.” Even back then, that wasn’t very much money with which to buy a tree.

It was nearly Christmas Eve, so they knew the trees would be pretty well picked over. When the family arrived at the tree lot, they discovered only five trees were left. Still, when there are five trees — four must be eliminated.

Alone on the lot, they spent as much time picking out their tree as they would have if a dozen trees were under examination. Finally they chose one of the trees that everyone else had rejected.

Joe’s heart was in his throat as he approached the tent to pay for the tree. He had looked everywhere for a price tag, but found nothing. In fact, there wasn’t a sign anywhere on the Christmas tree lot telling the prices of the trees. Joe looked in the tent, but it was empty. Because it was such a cold day, he thought perhaps the salesman had gone to the drugstore across the street for a cup of coffee.

“Mary, you and Joey wait in the car while I run across the street and pay for the tree,” Joe said. And with those words he was off.

It’s hard not to be excited at Christmas when you’re young, even when you’re poor. So Mary and Joey sang Christmas carols and discussed Santa Claus while they waited.

It didn’t take long for Joe to return. He opened the trunk of the car and placed the scrawny little tree inside. He got into the car. Mary looked at him expectantly. “How much did the tree cost, Joe?”

Slowly a tear slid down Joe’s rough cheek. “Mary, it was free! The man who owns the lot leaves the last few trees each year for those who can’t afford to buy one. Our tree didn’t cost us anything!”

Suddenly they weren’t poor anymore. They had gifts for Joey. They had a Christmas tree. They had two dollars. And they had each other.

That night, after the tree was decorated with their small supply of hand-me-down ornaments, the family admired their handiwork. Joey’s eyes were nearly as bright as the star on top of the tree. The red, blue, green and yellow lights created a soft glow.

Joe and Mary thought their hearts would burst with joy. They reached to one another and gently touched hands. Before long, Joey — being a typical little boy — sat down in the middle between them. They knelt, held hands and bowed their heads while Joe said a prayer.

“Dear God, thank you for Mary and Joey. Thank you for our beautiful Christmas tree. Thank you that you love us and take care of this little family. Thank you for sending Jesus, whose birthday we are celebrating.”

* * *

Years have come and gone. Other children joined the family, and money was never quite so scarce. Joey grew just like a boy must; but somehow he always remembered that special Christmas — the Christmas he, his mama and his daddy knelt before the tree and prayed.

And on Christmas Eve, if you were to visit his home, you’d hear him say, “Let’s all bow our heads now.” Then you’d see three children and their mommy quietly listen as Joey, the man, prays.

Christmas Giving

First published on Friday, December 12, 2008 in The Daily Sentinel


Over the last several months, the newspapers, TV and internet have been full of stories talking about our economy. Our government has given billions of dollars to banks and financial services companies. Congress is considering giving billions more to shore up the “big 3” American automotive companies. Speculation is strong that more giving will be required to keep our economy from going even further downhill in 2009.

Churches and charitable institutions are also feeling the pinch because as people become increasingly worried about their personal finances, jobs, etc., they don’t give as much or as often. I’ve already received several letters since Thanksgiving from various organizations asking me to consider a year-end gift to allow them to finish the year strong and prepared for 2009. My own church’s stewardship committee is probably going to send out its own letter to our members asking the same thing.

Christmas is indeed a time for giving. But its often seen more as a time for getting. Consider how we even phrase things about our Christmas giving: “What are you gonna get for Uncle John?” Even our giving is phrased as a getting proposition.

There are some people who want to change this aspect of Christmas. This year, I joined the “Advent Conspiracy” movement. Its goals are simple: Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. Here’s how they describe it:

Worship fully: “It starts with Jesus; it ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. Entering the story of Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.”

Spend less: “How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying one less gift this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, but many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: they have been more available to celebrate Christ during the Advent season.”

Give more: “Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found in the mail. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols (or sing Christmas carols badly). Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?”

Love all: “When Jesus loved, he loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked, and the sick. By spending less at Christmas, we have the opportunity to join him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began in just four churches, this simple concept raised more than a half-million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift; one unbelievable present in the name of Christ.”

I offer you an opportunity to challenge your Christmas habits. If Christmas has become dreary instead of joyful, depressing instead of delightful, habitual rather than spontaneous – then join the Advent Conspiracy with me. Do something insignificantly significant for someone else. The “insignificantly” part is usually only from our perspective. The “significant” part is generally from the other’s perspective.

Our general economic principles are based on the idea of scarcity of resources. For one to have means another must be without. Price is based on the demand for what we want in proportion to how badly we want it and how limited its supply. But what if those are false assumptions? What if we could learn to live in an economy based on an attitude of generosity? I think that is what Jesus was driving towards when he spoke about worry:

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:26-33)

Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. No government bailout required – sounds like the best Christmas plan ever!