CHRISTMAS TREE, an Emblem of the Passion and Victory of CHRIST

THE TREE IS THE CROSS

The tree specified here used to described the cross. It was also mentioned in the Book of Acts.

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead –
whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.”(Acts 5:30)

“We are witnesses of everything he did…They killed him
by hanging him on a tree.” (Acts 10:39)

Jesus died for our sins like the sacrificial lamb in the Old Testament time. Although innocent, he died for us sinners. He shed His blood on this tree which we now know as the cross. As a result, we are considered
dead to sin that we may live a new life walking in God’s righteousness.

II. JESUS CARRIES THIS CROSS

This cross-beam which is called “Patibulum” weigh about 50 kilos bore down upon the Lord’s shoulders with face running with blood. He was racked with pain. Indeed He was “the man of sorrows” as foretold by the
prophet Isaiah. He was a victim of the worst human cruelty and hatred just to save us. Jesus carries this cross and walked up a hill to His death. An open wound with bloody flesh was exposed to his left and right shoulders because of the rubbing pressure of the Patibulum. He carried with this cross the full weight and burden of mans sins, past, present and future to
complete the redemption of humanity.

III. JESUS IS NAILED TO THIS CROSS

Spikes were pounded through both of hands of the Lord. His Body, stripped of clothing was raised as the cross was already standing upright pegged to the ground. His feet was nailed as well. The most painful of all pains endured by the Lord for our sake is so hard to imagine.

IV. JESUS DIED ON THIS CROSS

The Lord as hung on the cross suffered the most excruciating pain man could ever imagine. There is no denying that He suffered repeated moments as compare with those whose death resulted from suicide, electrocution, lethal injection etc, etc. Death here of Christ should have been only a matter of 5 to 10 minutes considering His circumstances. But indeed, He has to drink His cup. He has to bear the most anguishing pain this world is suppose to suffer. Most of all, He still has to convey His message to this world – the seven last words. Hence, inspite of the excruciating pain Christ has to bear it longer, feel it longer.

In so doing as He struggled from time to time and move his body, the flesh would scrape against the nails that pierced through His hands and feet. This aggravates the more His wounds, it would open some more and bleed more profusely. Christ has given His breath, poured out His blood for all of the humanity. He has drunk His cup of suffering. His loud cry
manifested that His heart finally gave way to the tremendous pains and sufferings. His heart finally ruptured because of God’s love to this world.

CONCLUSION

Christmas is the most important and the most celebrated holiday season in the Philippines. It has the longest celebration for Christmas and keenly observed tradition. With all solemnity mingled with pomps, splendor, magnificent colorful displays of props, and customs worthy to be preserved and proud of, this tradition is the joyoust one we have. Workers
awaits so eagerly for this season. For this means 13th month pay and Christmas Bonus for them. Kids feels the same because of new clothings, toys and strolls. It is the season of giving and receiving as well as of
forgiving and reconciling. It is the