I was power walking in the park near our home when I began to smell a delicious fragrance…mmm…like a mountain of freshly cut pine trees! Sure enough – just around the bend was a sign declaring “Christmas Tree Drop Off Please Start Here.”

My eyes scanned the scene before me. Tree after tree after tree piled one atop the other. Hundreds. I’m sure there were probably Douglas Firs, White Firs, Grand Firs, Sierra Redwoods, Scotch Pines, Nobles…so many different styles, some flocked, short, tall, narrow, broad. All tossed haphazardly in a discard pile.

I thought about how carefully each tree had been selected by eager buyers only 30 days ago. Some folks had spent a bundle for a living room decoration so briefly enjoyed. Average tree prices this year were:

3-4′ Table Top tree w/stand $29

4 – 5′ ………………………$44

5 – 6′ ………………………$54

6 – 7′……………………….$69

7 – 8′ ………………………$79

8 – 9′ ………………………$110

9 – 10′ …………………….$140

10 -11′ …………………….$225

It occurred to me that sitting before me on the cold, wet, winter earth were memories of Christmas past for possibly thousands of individuals. Some good memories, perhaps many not-so-good memories. I’m not a poet, but these trees spoke so loudly to my heart!

I thought of broken families and busy parents and wayward children gathering around these token Christmas symbols. Human beings longing for some semblance of togetherness, warmth, family and spiritual wholeness had purchased these representations of celebration and prayed silently in hope of better things to come.

I thought about how much money, time and energy had been invested in what ended up becoming a very hollow holiday. I pondered how many had experienced an all-too-brief surge of spiritual seeking as they attended a Midnight Mass or special Christmas church service, only to return to their same ol’ lives the next day.

I thought about the many disappointments experienced. I tend toward optimism, but I know that in reality there’s so much sorrow and brokenness in lives due to the consequences of sin. Much of our nation and many of our neighbors are in distress.

The next day I happened upon these hills of shredded pine. All the trees had been ground into chips. Much had already been hauled away. Such a harsh scene.

Metaphors galore. (Perhaps I am a poet after all! )