The Festal Procession
Sweetgum Foliage
Driving through the backwoods of East Texas this December on the way to my wife, Kim's, hometown where her parents still live, we traveled through a large area where the wildfires of summer had scorched the trees and underbrush in the Angelina River bottom. It was a stark reminder of the drought conditions that the entire state had been under and the tragedy of fires that burned out of control for many weeks.
Yet, as we continued along our way, another reality became clear to us. Somehow, apparently due to the drought, the fall color of the leaves on the trees was uncharacteristically vibrant and flamboyant. Every mile that we traveled brought eye-popping beauty and a parade of vivid hues in every direction.
The sweetgum and red oak, post oak and winged elm, laurel oak and apple, water oak and pear, all seemed to be decked out in their finest attire, seemingly to herald the coming of the Christ child this Christmas.
The Lord speaks to us through the Prophet Isaiah in Chapter 55:8-13 when He says, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."
Even in a time of drought in East Texas, the whole creation appears to be in the middle of a festal parade with the joyous colors of burgundy, yellow, orange, scarlet, and amber against the backdrop of green pine trees. It is as if the very trees themselves are bursting forth to pronounce the birth of Christ and the hope of his triumphant return.
Psalm 96:11-13 says, "Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
If the trees are proclaiming with exultation about Christ, how much more should we be rejoicing over the Savior? May your life be filled to overflowing with blessings and may the deep joy of the Savior be yours this Christmas. Remember to be quick to share that joy with others to the glory of God. Merry Christmas!
