The Pope loves Christmas Trees…thus sayeth Zenit
The Christmas tree — with its journey from a dark forest to the brilliance of decorative lights — represents every Christian, called to share the message that the Light of the world has become man.
This was a comparison made by Benedict XVI today when he addressed a delegation from Belgium, which provided the Christmas tree for St. Peter’s Square this year.
“In the forest,” the Holy Father said, “the trees are close together and each one of them contributes to making the forest a shadowy, sometimes dark, place.”
“But here,” he continued, “chosen from among this multitude, the majestic tree that you offered us is today lit up and covered with brilliant decorations that are like so many marvelous fruits.”
“Leaving aside its dark garments for a brilliant explosion, it has been transfigured, becoming a beacon of light that is not its own, but rather gives testimony to the true Light that comes to this world,” the Pope suggested.
A lovely reflection and very true. We have a dog and don’t like the smell of Chihuahua urine…so we get a small plant-like Christmas tree that we put our favorite ornaments on each year. I’m also afraid he’ll pull down a larger tree. Sigh, the things I do for this dog! But the tree, small though it might be brings me much joy–just like the dog does for that matter. I’m off to get it today in fact.
What do you do for your Christmas tree? What Christmas tree traditions do you have?