The Spontaneous Christmas Trees

It happens every year just after Thanksgiving. Cedar trees that line the roads all over my hometown of Austin are decorated for Christmas. I’m not sure how long this tradition has been going on, but I started noticing it a few years ago. And while it used to be just a few trees on strategic highways around Austin, now it’s all over town.

It’s actually quite inspiring. People will even dedicate a tree to their favorite sports team or to military families or to loved ones. And then, not long after the new year, the trees magically return to normal. That may be the coolest part of this story–people actually come back and remove their decorations.

Seeing these trees the other day started me thinking. Christians need to be like those dear folks who decorate the cedar trees. We get to brighten up the landscape around us. We get to take ordinary days, events and and even lives and make them inspirational. And, we’re supposed to clean up after ourselves. We don’t leave our debris around for others to pick up. When we make a mess, we clean it up–we confess, we seek forgiveness, we repent. and we forgive others.

Be a spontaneous Christian for others today. As they move through their ordinary day, brighten up their lives and inspire them. Let them see the Jesus in you.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

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