First Ornament

            How about a confession at Christmastime? 

            I decorated my tree backwards this year.

            No, I did not put the lights on last, and didn’t place the tree topper on at the beginning. What I did do is put some of my most treasured ornaments on last, instead of first because….

            a) They were in the bottom of the ornament box

            b) Because I simply forgot about my ritual.

            c) Jesus was not the center of my thoughts.

            It’s the last excuse that gets me.

             In previous years, After the lights were on the tree, I intentionally placed all of my cross ornaments on first before any other ornaments. They moved to the front of the line past my favorite sequined Choo Choo Trains and wreaths I bought at Bloomingdales in New York years ago, past the ornaments representing some of the places I’ve visited over the years, even in front of the stork ornament my mother-in-law gave us after our first son was born, saying “Baby’s First Christmas.”

            The crosses are symbolic.

            I want to start with the crosses because I desire Jesus to be the first person I think of during the Christmas season.

            I want to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

            I want the crosses on my tree to be placed so that anyone who walks in our front door will know where my allegiance lies.

            But I forgot to dig for them. Other ornaments moved in front. They took a back seat to the shiny stars and balls that add pizzazz to the tree.

            When I finally reached the crosses at the bottom of one of the storage boxes, my head fell. They were last, not first. An afterthought.

            I  realized, “Isn’t that the way it goes many days during the Christmas season?” Jesus takes a back seat to the shopping, the parties and the decorating. We forget to put him first and at the center of our activities. We don’t remember that it’s his birthday we are celebrating, a birth that has dramatically affected lives all over the world for over 2000 years.  Sometimes we just go through the motions during the holidays, distracted.

            Matthew 6:33 says, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…..

            John 1:1 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.

            There’s something about putting Jesus first because that’s where he belongs. First in our hearts. First when we start our days. First ornament on the tree.

            As we get closer to Christmas, I hope I will slow down enough to give Jesus the honor he deserves on his birthday, the first fruits of my life.

            And even though the crosses were the last ornaments placed on the Christmas tree, I pray I see them first every time I look their way.