December 31, 2010
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
During the Christmas season, I see a lot of fruit for sale and in homes. Bands sell them as a fund raiser, grocery stores put them on display as you walk in and normally a gift of a fruit basket can be seen in most homes. During this season of joy, I think Luke’s scripture of Jesus is a perfect reminder for us.
As we purchase gifts for family and friends and extend warm greetings of “Merry Christmas” we need to ask ourselves — are we living a Christ-centered life? Many people enjoy the Christmas Season without giving a thought to the birth of the Christ Child. This does not make us “bad fruit.” On the contrary, it is a reminder to all that the secular world has captured the Season for commercial use. However, we need to be reminded amid all of the gift giving of that greatest of gifts! Christ was born so that we may have eternal life! This gift is free for the taking! So, during this Holiday Season take a moment to remember what and why we are celebrating.
My hope and my prayer for each of us is that we will look at a basket of fruit as a new reminder of the gifts and blessings we receive not just this Season but also every day!
Prayer: Father we thank you for this day, this season, this birth. We are unworthy yet you give us grace, peace without cost to us. Open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to your word that we may bear good fruit in the witness of your life. Amen
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