Have you ever noticed the effect a well-decorated Christmas tree can have on a home? Maybe that is why many around the world want their Christmas tree up as soon as they possibly can. Maybe, as is our case at Casa deCrossa, the tree being there brings a fresh and new aspect to our home. If you have an artificial tree, it can be a very economical way of providing something "new" to your home every year...certainly cheaper than buying a new sofa! And, a Christmas Tree is rarely decorated in exactly the same way from year to year, thus accounting for a "refreshed" feel each year.
The first Christmas trees are sometimes associated with the reformer Martin Luther as he is said to have been the first to decorate an evergreen with lighted candles, but the first "on the record" occurrence comes in the form of a keystone sculpture on a private home in Turkheim, Alsace a town located in what at that time was Germany (now in France). This sculpture is dated 1576.
The song "O Christmas Tree" is taken from the German tune "O Tannenbaum", a song that was not initially considered a Christmas song, but a folk tune about love lost. Since its adoption by The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" (Andy William/Pentatonix)), "O Christmas Tree" has been covered by virtually anyone who has a recording contract and by many independent musicians who just love the song.
Our "cover" pick for today's featured song is by the Vince Guaraldi Trio from the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas. Let's enjoy, shall we?
All totaled, there have been 37 full-length album/box set releases of Vince Guaraldi's music. While most of my generation, and granted most of his royalties, recognize him for his iconic soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas, his other music is truly something that is rarely duplicated in the genre of Jazz. Guaraldi had one single to make the Hot 100, 1962's "Samba de Orpheus" and from 1955 to 1976, he incorporated 75 different musicians to play on his projects. But it is his association with the Peanuts television animation that has endeared him to folks over the last 50 years.
Guaraldi provides a simple yet, certainly Jazz version of the Christmas standard, "O Christmas Tree" to the climax of A Charlie Brown Christmas cementing the story with the indelible imprint to the Charles Schultz vision. I wonder if other visions of trees come with a soundtrack?
Someone's having difficulty sleeping again. It seems that Nebuchadnezzar just can't learn his lesson. Even though he has acknowledged the God of the Hebrews, he is reticent to get over that whole "statue of myself" moment in chapter 3 and surrender completely in worship to the God of the Hebrews.
We find our King Nebi, having another dream in chapter 4. This one is about a tree. Doubtless, not the kind in which ornaments are hung, but a tree of considerable size. Once again, he is desperate for an interpretation of his dream and calls all of the soothsayers, interpreters, and magicians (MAGI) to his chambers to explain the dream to him. The "wise men" of Babylon are stumped. Our intrepid hero Daniel comes in late and lays the smackdown. Nebi has a "you are the tree" moment which is followed up with some bad stuff being shaken out of that Nebi tree as its interpretation.
It seems that Nebuchadnezzar hasn't taken the hint that the God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is the ONLY TRUE GOD. Therefore, the ONLY TRUE GOD was going to get Nebi's attention. The king is having a nice stroll along the rooftop of his castle saying..." look at what I've done=, yup, I built that!" when BAM!!! Animal brain! That's right! Nebuchadnezzar the king of the whole world of his time, was suddenly reduced to saying "Waaazzzzuuuuuppp!" to the cows. Moo! Moo!
For 7 years, he roamed the fields around Babylon eating grass like an animal and neglecting his general well-being. The Bible describes his unkempt appearance as: "Hair like eagles feathers and fingernails like birds claws...I wonder if worms were tasty to him too? All of this is because of his pride and arrogance. This is a guy who saw Jesus in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, yet did not allow this encounter to change his life. This is a ruler who had no one in his kingdom who could interpret his dreams other than an agent of the One True God and yet, he still thought that he had gained all of his kingdoms on his own merit.
I confess to you friend, that I suffer from similar moments of pride. I reflect on accomplishments and am very quick to believe my own "press" about what I have done...In my mind, my sufficiency has been what has gotten me to this point. I guess to be blunt...I have a "Nebi" moment. But just like Nebuchadnezzar, if I am not careful, I also have the humbling that comes in concert with such arrogance. Another king from another age had a similar experience and put his reflections down on paper...or maybe papyrus?
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. - Proverbs 8:13
When pride comes, then comes dishonor; But with the humble there is wisdom. - Proverbs 11:2
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. - Proverbs 16:5
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. - Proverbs 16:18
Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty, But humility goes
The above passages were written by that king from another age who was also the leader of the world of his time, Solomon. He is also credited for being one of the wisest people to ever lived. As you can see, he wrote a great deal about pride and its affecting. He could write about "pride going before a fall" because he lived it. Because of his own pride and arrogance, Israel would engage in a civil war that ripped their country into 2 separate kingdoms. Seems he did not acknowledge the wisdom to which he had access.
The humbling of my pride is so evident at this time of the year as it usually manifests itself in full display at Christmas. I consider myself to be a creative person, However, with regards to Christmas decorating let me tell you! I am very quick to understand what my limitations are. My involvement in the decorating and gift wrapping at Christmas is relegated to bringing our Christmas tree down from the attic and hanging icicle lights on the house. The only interaction I have with wrapping paper is to buy more and get the previous year's favorite paper to a position of accessibility. That is my wheelhouse! Taking the credit for the beautiful Christmas Tree we have in our home would be ludicrous...I live with a wife and 2 daughters. They seem to partner all the time with my other daughter, her husband, and my four grands in keeping my pride in check. They truly are gifts from the Almighty!!!
So this year as you admire your decorative prowess, bask in the glow of the gazillion lights you were able to fit on a 2-foot tree or enjoy the beauty and simplicity of homemade ornaments made by the hands of precious ones now and in the past years, be humble. As you remember the accomplishments of this past year, be grateful to the One who provided the opportunities for success, and the comfort for failures. Reflect on the greatness of God, His provision, His guidance, His protection, His salvation, and His sacrifice. Ponder the fact that our inclusion of a Christmas Tree in our celebration of Jesus' birth foreshadows another tree, one that has as its decoration the humility and blood that should have been ours...and then sing with a different perspective... "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches...
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM and loving You,
randy
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