DO I HAVE FAITH LIKE ABRAHAM? THE RETURN OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

What a journey it has been to learn the real gospel of Jesus Christ, and the closer I get, the more beautiful it is! As you know 10 years ago our family collapsed. The weight of culture and its Babylonian tentacles were all too far-reaching and with it, we came tumbling down. We decided we had to rebuild our family starting at ground zero. It has not been easy, but it has been worth it. The last years have been indescribable as so many purges have happened and tremendous growth has resulted. One of our mighty miracles is to have a child return to the gospel. There are no words to express the happiness of this event.

In the beginning, one of the first things we did was dispose of all of our traditions. Some have called me zealous, and I agree I have been. At the time it was easier to just dump and run until more light and knowledge came. I really had no clue what was right and wrong in the traditions we inherited. One of those traditions was Christmas as we were just not sure if it had Christian or pagan roots. So we let go of all materialism and just refocused on Christ and his attributes, and out went the tree, stockings, and all.

We have really enjoyed this new type of Christmas—using it as a time of fasting, and prayer. It has been beautiful for our family without all the distractions and crazy traditions that took away the real meaning of worship. It gave us the time we needed as a family to re-center on what was truly important.

LEARNING ABOUT THE COVENANT

However, this last year has probably been the most life-changing year for our family as we have come to learn more about the covenant and what exactly the Prophet Joseph Smith restored. We learned how the covenant (New and Everlasting) is simply a son . . . following a righteous father; such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or Lehi, Nephi, Joseph Smith, and others. Did you know that these promises are always given and received through a family, particularly the father? This includes not only our immediate fathers but also our ancestral fathers. Covenants and blessings are passed down from father to son. Sons learn about God through their father, their father helps them gain access to God. This is taught both throughout the scriptures and Joseph Smith’s teachings. Isn’t this just so pretty?

How did learning about the covenant change us forever? For me, when I came to understand this covenant it not only helped me put more order in our home, but a stronger authority that wasn’t very clear as it should have been. It has been so much easier to “get in line” or submit knowing the covenant is when a father follows with exactness these Patriarchs. It has caused me to look back to the Patriarchs and take their words more seriously. To learn from their steadfast faith, unquestioning obedience, and constant seeking of God. How did they lay their life down for me and my family, and how do I serve mankind like them? In doing so I saw how my home was still in rebellion by not turning completely to these fathers, not just on holidays, or every 4 years when we as a church study their words, but I wasn’t living like them daily. Connecting more to these men as a family has really blessed us and added protection that has never been there before., including miracles that have come when all seemed hopeless in many areas of life.

So what does this have to do with Christmas? In learning more about the covenant, I learned that Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree as a symbol—a memorial to commemorate God’s promises to him. This tree was everlasting, just as his promises are. However, the tree is a slow-growing evergreen, reaching its full height in 400 years. With an eye to his future posterity, Abraham planted a Tamarisk with them in mind. Even though he would never find rest in its shade, or never feel the cool breeze, he planted the tree anyway. If you read the story—a rescued Egypt does reap the fruit of his labor, found in manna years later.

This one verse has strengthened the way I want to live my life and celebrate Christmas. I am always looking at how to ‘pass down my faith’ to my children, hence the blog. This story was touching. I, like Abraham want to plant a ‘tamarisk tree’ for the generations to come. I too, want generations to know of this beautiful father-son covenant and my own journey in turning to the heart of those Fathers that have come before, I want to proclaim the gospel through my actions even if I do not ever get to experience the fruit. In the story, the Israelites did not yet possess the land when Abraham decided to plant this tree. He did it for others. Hebrews 11:8-10 speaks clearly, that it was Abraham’s faith that pleased God. I wish this too. Do I exert faith in a way that will impact my children and their children? What will be the symbol of my faith and the covenant. . .the tree!

THE RETURN OF THE TREE

So 8 years later, the evergreen Christmas tree returns as our own symbol of our covenant relationship with God. Yes, years ago we dismissed the tree as we thought it was rooted in a pagan culture and symbol, however knowing Satan can not create, but only copy, he must have copied the tree from something. Yes, that ‘something’ is the symbol of the New and Everlasting covenant with God.

Now, that it is back in the home, how will I use it to reach future generations? Not only will the evergreen be a symbol but through the simple ornaments that have been collected they will help to tell about who we are, our journey, their sacred identity, and covenants! Every ornament collected is to teach my grandchildren about— turning their hearts to the Fathers, and the promises they must keep!

It’s not a pretty tree, but it will tell the story!

ORNAMENTS COLLECTED