The Three Trees

Jasper County, in this Christmas season, I pray that this blesses you.

Over 2,000 years ago, there were three trees on a hill deep in the woods. They were discussing their dreams when the first tree said, “ I hope to one day be a treasure chest filled with gold and precious gems.” The second tree said, “I want to be a mighty ship taking kings and queens to the corners of the world.” Finally, the third tree said, ‘I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the frost. People will look up and think of how close I am to God…people will always remember me.”

After a few years, some lumberjacks came to the hill. One came to the first tree and said, “This looks like a strong tree.” He cut it down and sold the wood to a carpenter. The tree was happy because he just knew he’d be made into a treasure chest. The second tree was cut down and sold to a shipyard. He too was happy because he knew he was becoming a mighty ship. The third tree was cut down and chopped into large pieces…his dreams were shattered.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenter’s shop, he was made into a feed box and placed in a barn filled with hay. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. The third tree was left all alone, in large pieces, in the dark.

As years went by, the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day,a man and a woman came into the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the feed box made from the first tree. The tree got happy because he knew he held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. The great treasure got tired and went to sleep. While they were on the water a storm beat against the boat…the second tree. The sleeping treasure woke up and said, “Peace…be still.”

Finally, someone came and got the third tree from that dark place. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the great treasure who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the third tree. It was raised in the air…high on a hill called Calvary. When Sunday came, the third tree realized that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be close to God as was possible, because the great treasure, Jesus Christ was crucified on it!

Things may not seem to be going your way this Christmas, but always know that God has a plan for you. If you trust him, he will give you gifts you can’t fit under the tree. The tree got what they wanted, just not in the way they imagined!