Riding along on the freeway today on my way to an early morning appointment, I was a little shocked to see a large truck piled high with evergreen trees. Hundreds of them, stacked to the top of the truck roof. These trees, obviously on their way to a nearby Christmas tree lot, were bound up very tightly in red mesh. Once I got past the fact that most of our Christmas trees are really cut before Thanksgiving, nearly six weeks before they will grace our homes, I began to think how sad they looked, all tied up like that. Now we have brought many a tree home in its mesh coat to unveil itself in the warmth of our house, but somehow, seeing them all together so cramped and untree-like, made me quite sad.

 Then I began thinking of how these bound up trees are a little like those of us who celebrate Christmas. At this time of year we are not in any way ready to open ourselves up to the wonder, the mystery, the fullness of this story that gives shape to our faith. We are folding, holding our arms close to our chest, not wanting to open yet to how this story will reshape us this year. For, if it is truly a faith story, it must be different for us this year than it was last for we are all, indeed, different people this year. And now is the perfect time, while we are still bound up in the red mesh of 2009, to begin to reflect upon how we are different, how we've grown, how we've regressed, how the Holy has shown up in the mess and the order of it all. Then, and only then, will the Christmas story really be what it is…the reminder of the incarnation…God with and within us.

Not long after I saw the truck full of trees, I ran into a shop for a quick cup of coffee. I realized standing in line that the music I was hearing was Christmas music….chestnuts roasting on an open fire….to be exact. Normally this would bug me. Let's get to Thanksgiving first! But somehow it seemed o.k. today. I listened to the gentle words of this song and allowed the sentiment of it to was over me. 

While all these signs may simply be a herald of the commercial, capitalistic culture in which we live, I made the decision to not see it that way. Instead I have decided to allow all these little signs of the Christmas to come to work on me. I have decided to take them into the preparation of our Thanksgiving meal and into the observance of Advent. I want to let each little nudge that can remind me of how the Divine breaks into our lives to soften me, warm me, until the mesh that binds me can be cut away and my limbs can fall into their rightful places, ready to welcome the Christ Child.

Then it will be the right time to claim this story once again. As I enter yet another year of walking this sacred path of life, I will hold gently the reminders of how the Holy walks at my side until I have the blessing to proclaim it once again with a resounding "Alleluia".

Have a great weekend and keep your eyes peeled for trucks of bound up trees!