Oh Christmas tree! Oh Christmas tree!

It's that time of year once more, and nearly everyone has put up their Christmas decorations or tree in their homes. A few things come to mind this year when I look at the Christmas tree.

Gratitude

Looking at the Christmas tree this year gave me a feeling of gratitude. It made me think about how we can look at the Christmas tree that we have set up and see a few things.

The Christmas tree might be an indication that this could be your last time setting up the tree wherever you live or are, because you aren't sure where the cancer diagnosis might take you in 2025.

The Christmas tree might be an indication that you have had a tough 2024, where you said goodbye to loved ones through death, changed work where you said goodbye to friendly colleagues you loved working with, were retrenched or had a hard time getting through your studies at university.

The Christmas tree might be an indication that you have been blessed with another year of income, another year at your current home, or another year of health.

The Christmas tree isn't always there to spark joy but to give you a sense of gratitude for what you still have and to reflect back and see how far you have come through all the hardships. Please don't forget God at this time of year as well. He gave His only begotten Son to die for your sins on the cross, and this time of year is when we celebrate Jesus Christ's birth, taking us through to Passover (Easter), where we give thanks for Him who died on the cross for us.