Generosi-Tree
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham … Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah, the Christ.
– From Matthew 1
Chris our son is not quite 40 today.
A few days before he was born, we bought a small (like him) live tree for Christmas. After he was born and everyone celebrated his arrival, along of course with that of Jesus (Christopher’s name means “Christ-bearer), we planted that tree in our yard. We lived there for six more years, and each year they both grew and grew.
Along the way one of Chris’ very favorite books became The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Chris was a giving boy, and I think he appreciated Silverstein’s willingness to tell that story about the giving and giving, on and on, of one of God’s other creatures, until there was nothing left to give.
When Chris was twelve he put on his “purity” ring after steaks at the Beef House. He lost it (the ring), but it got replaced. During that Protestant “Bar Mitzvah” year we read a chronological Bible together, compiled by an attorney who sorted out the Old Testament laws into highly readable categories. We went on four overnight retreats, to have fun and also read and draw various pictures assigned to us from Lynda Madaras’ book, The What’s Happening to My Body ! Book for Boys.
Although we were in Urbana by now, Chris returned to his home church in Waynesville, Illinois to be baptized and party just a little more with those friends he loved so much.
Chris and Melissa were married in 2004. Jack was born in 2009, and Aly in 2012. Now their family has a 5 foot tree in one corner of the family room, a “Generosi-Tree,” lit with small white lights.  Along with those hundred points of light, the tree is decorated with dated ornaments:  2012, 2013, 2014, etc.
Each year Jack and Aly are given $25 each to do something for someone else. So one ornament represents a cow they bought for a village Christmas outreach party in Myanmar; another, tennis shoes for students at a local school; another, poinsettias they delivered themselves to folks living in a nursing home. Last year they combined their money to pay for a sight-saving eye surgery for someone in a developing country.
It was hard to find an eye-chart ornament, but they tracked one down!
One of these days (but not this year!), Chris will turn over the “40” leaf. His life has been rich and full. He and Melissa have offered their kiddos the gift of giving, which they’ve accepted. That makes us all so happy.
It’s often difficult for me to receive the gifts God pours out, not to mention those offered by those around me, even friends and family. Our mutual imperfections can easily block the joy God intends for us when we love each other, give and receive from each other.
In The Giving Tree, the boy comes back over and over to the tree he loves, and the tree gives him all she can. He needs more and more, and at last she offers her branches to build a house, and then her trunk to build a boat to take him far away. The tree is happy.
“But not really.”
The boy returns to his loving tree at last an old, old man (older even than 40). And the tree apologizes to him. “I have nothing left to give you.”
My apples are gone. “But,” the boy said, “My teeth are too weak for apples.”
My branches are gone. You can’t swing on them. “I’m too old to swing on branches.”
My trunk is gone. You cannot climb. “I am too tired to climb,” said the boy.
I am just an old stump now. I am sorry.
 “I don’t need very much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.”
Well! said the tree, straightening herself.
“Well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down.”
Sit down and rest.
And the boy did.
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Melissa’s mom Jan, Margaret, and I watch Chris learning all his life to give and also to receive, and we watch as he and Melissa pass that on to Jack and Aly, and my heart bursts with joy.
The Lord is good to me. And so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain … and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me. (Come on, sing it!)
Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree, 1964
https://www.davesandel.net/category/advent-and-christmas-devotions-2019/
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archive.php?year=2019
