Week of December 5, 1999
Debbie B.

"...Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord; for He is coming.":
Psalm 96

This verse was first introduced to me several years ago when I was poring over craft ideas for our Sunday School Advent Event. The craft was a simple one. Green evergreens identically cut out and strung on a thin red ribbon, designed to be used as a garland. I remember the special way I felt as I cut out the trees for the example craft. I remember the comforting feeling I had as I wrote the individual words of the verse on each tree that would be strung on the ribbon. My soul seemed to sing as I prepared that craft. I felt that it was a beautiful way to spread the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ and I remember making extra garlands to decorate the packages I prepared for our church Christmas sharing event.

In my yard is a row of giant evergreens, standing side by side along my kennel fence, much like the trees on my garland stand side by side on their ribbon. I have often thanked God for those trees since they provide shade in the summer for the animals I care for, and year round they provide shelter for the birds and squirrels that live in their boughs.

Every year I unpack that original garland to decorate my family Christmas tree. As I drape the red ribbon over the branches and read the message printed on the construction paper trees, my soul is awakened by a vision of that other row of evergreens. I picture them bursting with joy. Each of their branches comes alive in song, and they join with all the trees of the woods that surround my yard to form a jubilant choir that declares throughout my world that Christ is coming. he form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

Lord, help us to take the time to listen and then join in with all of your creation as it sings for joy the good news that He is coming. Amen.

Contributed by Debra B.
Sunday December 5, 1999
Liturgical Year B Week 2