Evergreen
Mark 6:38-42
And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass…And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied.
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Evergreen
The tradition of the Christmas tree, lit first with candles and now with strands of lights, began in Germany and helps to remind us of Jesus and the light He brings to the world. The choice of an evergreen tree highlights the eternal nature of God and His promises. Yet sometimes, our Christmas trees may leave us feeling unsatisfied. Maybe the gift we really wanted is not found underneath, or the stark contrast between an adorned evergreen with nothing below stands as a testament to unrealized desires.
Those who followed Christ that day into the desolate wilderness needed satisfaction for their physical hunger, and He more than met that with just five loaves and two fish. Yet more than that, they needed satisfaction for their spiritual hunger, to rest in the shade of the Evergreen. It is no coincidence that in a desolate place, our Good Shepherd led them to rest in green pastures beside still waters, as He fed them with living bread! Our satisfaction likewise is found not in worldly things, but in Christ. “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass…And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied.
+
Evergreen
The tradition of the Christmas tree, lit first with candles and now with strands of lights, began in Germany and helps to remind us of Jesus and the light He brings to the world. The choice of an evergreen tree highlights the eternal nature of God and His promises. Yet sometimes, our Christmas trees may leave us feeling unsatisfied. Maybe the gift we really wanted is not found underneath, or the stark contrast between an adorned evergreen with nothing below stands as a testament to unrealized desires.
Those who followed Christ that day into the desolate wilderness needed satisfaction for their physical hunger, and He more than met that with just five loaves and two fish. Yet more than that, they needed satisfaction for their spiritual hunger, to rest in the shade of the Evergreen. It is no coincidence that in a desolate place, our Good Shepherd led them to rest in green pastures beside still waters, as He fed them with living bread! Our satisfaction likewise is found not in worldly things, but in Christ. “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
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