December 3, 2025 – Mid-Week Advent Texts: Hosea 14:4-8, John 11:17-27
Dear Friends in Christ,
Do you know a Christmas tree once caused a scandal and in a Lutheran Church no less. It happened on Christmas Eve 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio. Pastor Heinrich Schwan, the 3rd president of the LCMS, erected an evergreen tree in the church sanctuary, attached candles to it and placed a silver star on top.
This tree was so revolutionary that the one newspaper called it nonsensical and asinine. Some in Cleveland accused Pastor Schwan of heathen and idolatrous practices. They maintained the tree was a pagan symbol.
But the members loved the tree. For these German immigrants it brought back memories of their homeland. Still, it caused controversy. So, Pastor Schwan did some research and was convinced they were a godly custom that celebrated the Savior’s birth. He wrote letter to the papers and to people who objected making the case for the tree.
The next Christmas, 1852, he erected a Christmas tree as did many of his members. Even people not members of the church adopted the practice. Within a decade, Christmas trees appeared in churches and homes across America.
Indeed, the Christmas tree has become the universal symbol of the Christmas season in all cultures. In our sanctuary we have a tree and wreaths and garland. They point us to spiritual truths. What is the significance? That is what we will answer in our midweek Advent sermon series, “Every Heart Prepare: Seeing Christ in the Holiday Decorations.” Tonight then . . .
“EVERGREENS”
Historians tell us these decorations were first used in Europe during medieval times. The Christmas tree appeared in Northern Europe around 1000. By 1400, most Germans had trees in their homes. Around this same time green holly and ivy appeared in England during Advent and Christmas. This presented the hope of life in the dead of winter.
Green is the symbol of life. In cold climates, many plants lose their green in winter and appear lifeless. But evergreen plants such as fir, pine, and holly trees retain green leaves in the winter. They have become a symbol of life when other plants appear dead.
Moreover, evergreens are a symbol of eternal life. This is because they are ever green. They prevail over death, even in the dead of winter. This is why people have decorated their homes with evergreens. It is a reminder of the gift of eternal life that Jesus’ advent offers.
Christ’s first coming was to restore eternal life that had been lost when Adam and Eve sinned. They had access to the tree of life, but they forfeited it when they sinned. Thorns infested the ground as a symbol of the curse of death.
Jesus, the Second Adam, came to restore life that was lost in humanity’s fall. In his advent two thousand years ago, God the Son came as a human being to give His life so that we sinners might receive eternal life. The evergreen holly branch is associated with Christ’s death because its thorny leaves remind us of the crown of thorns He wore on the cross. Its red berries remind us of the drops of blood that fell from His head. His death destroyed death, and His resurrection restored life. Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)
God the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us with His life. He compares Himself to an evergreen tree in Hosea 14:8: “I am like an evergreen cypress; from Me comes your fruit.” God is our never-failing source of life and fruitfulness.
So, look around at the evergreen decorations that were lovingly put up this past Sunday by members of Good Shepherd. They convey the message of eternal life. That is what Advent and Christmas are all about: the eternal life Jesus won for us at His first coming, which we will experience fully at His second coming. Every time you look at the evergreen decorations be reminded of this – Jesus has come and will come again to give you everlasting life.
Amen.