O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree
The melody of O Tannenbaum was first written in Germany by Melchior Franck in the 1500s, but the first lyrics were added in 1819 by Joachim August Christian Zarnack. Often the lyrics are sung in English as "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches!" but the literal translation would be,
"O fir tree, O fir tree,How faithful are your branches!You're not just green during summertime,But also in wintertime when it snows,O fir tree, O fir tree,How faithful are your branches!"
The original lyrics written by Zarnack were penned not as a tribute to the beauty of a Christmas tree, but instead as a contrast to an unfaithful relationship (German Language Blog). Throughout history the pine tree has been a symbol of faithfulness and consistency in every season (History.com). And in the Bible the evergreen is a symbol of God's faithfulness (Hosea 14:8b).
Although O Christmas Tree was not originally written in recognition of the Christmas season, the song and the evergreen tree have become a symbol of the Christmas season as a reminder of the ability to endure through the hardship of winter (History.com). As Christians we can look to the evergreen tree as a symbol of God's steadfastness. In the celebration of the birth of Christ we use it as a reminder of God's faithfulness in sending His son to pay for our sins (Crosswalk).
Like the evergreen tree, God has remained faithful in every season. As Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (ESV). God's unending love is seen through the plan of redemption that He put into action at the Fall. From that moment God was working to bring redemption to mankind through the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ.
Celebration of Faithfulness
Throughout this Christmas season let's celebrate God's faithfulness. As the evergreen tree reminds the Christian of God's steadfastness to give the promised Messiah, this season should be a reminder of God's faithfulness in our lives.
This Christmas, encourage your family to focus their attention God's faithfulness. As parents we can set aside time each week throughout December to discuss God's faithfulness in our family. I would encourage you to make this time enjoyable and not a chore for your children. My favorite way to have these times is to serve dessert, sit around the table, and ask questions for my kids to answer. This allows your children to still be children while still showing honor to the Word of God and the story of Christ's birth.
Below are recommended conversation starters you can use, one for each week leading up to Christmas.
Hope -- Confident Expectation of Things to Come
In the Christmas Story: The Israelites were waiting and hoping for the Messiah, and God was faithful to His promise through the birth of Jesus.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23, ESV).
- Besides the Israelite people, who is someone in the Christmas story who had to put their hope in God's faithfulness? What did that look like for them?
- Has there ever been something you have hoped for and God has shown you His faithfulness? Maybe it was in the process of hoping and waiting, or maybe in the fulfillment of His promise.
- How did that experience show you God's faithfulness?
- What does that experience tell you about what God will do in the future?
Peace -- Soundness Through the Steadfastness of God's Love
In the Christmas Story: The angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields and part of their greeting included the words "on earth peace" (Luke 2:14). The peace spoken of in the Christmas story is one declaring wholeness, or a way of peace by salvation through the Messiah.
"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you" (Isaiah 54:10, ESV).
- Besides the peace spoken of by the angels, where else do you see peace displayed or spoken of in the Christmas story? How did God reveal His faithfulness through peace?
- Has there been a time that you have experienced God's peace through the faithfulness of His steadfast love?
- How did that experience show you God's faithfulness?
- What does that experience tell you about what God will do in the future?
Joy -- Christ, the Source of Joy
In the Christmas Story: The angel Gabriel declares the message of the birth of Christ is "tidings of great joy" (Luke 2:10, ESV). This word for joy in Gabriel's announcement is the same word used in James 1 (see below). The word is 'chara', meaning a source of joy -- Christ was born to be the source of ultimate joy.
"'Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4, ESV).
- Besides the joy spoken of by Gabriel, where else do you see examples of joy in the Christmas story? How was God's faithfulness seen in joy?
- Have you seen God's faithfulness in your life through His joy? This joy comes only from God
- How did that experience show you God's faithfulness?
- What does that experience tell you about what God will do in the future?
Love -- Love that Gives
In the Christmas Story: God is the ultimate gift giver in the story of the birth of Christ. He gave his only Son to be a sacrifice of redemption for all who call on His name.
"'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).
- Besides the love seen through God's gift of Jesus, where else do you see examples of love in the Christmas story? How was God's faithfulness seen in these examples of love?
- Is there a time that you have encountered God's faithful love? What was that situation like? How did it make you feel?
- How did that experience show you God's faithfulness?
- What does that experience tell you about what God will do in the future?
O Faithful and Steadfast Fir Tree
While "O faithful and steadfast for tree.." is a more accurate interpretation of the lyrics, I highly doubt it will be adopted. But whichever way you sing O Christmas Tree use this season to meditate on the faithfulness of God in every season of our lives. And as we consider 2025, lean further into God's faithfulness and continue to keep Him in the forefront of your home throughout the New Year.
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