Lyrics
Calvary’s Tree Was Planted at Christmas
Read together: Luke 2:8–14; Galatians 4:4–5; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 2:14–15; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; Ephesians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 9:15
Christmas memories are powerful. A smell from the kitchen, an old ornament, a familiar carol—and suddenly we are children again. For many of us, those memories include someone reading the Christmas story aloud. Scripture invites us to read that story again, and to see where it was always heading.
Read Luke 2:8–14. The angel told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Notice the word Savior. From the very first night, heaven announced not only who this Child was, but what He came to do. Read Galatians 4:4–5. When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law. Bethlehem was the beginning of a rescue.
Read Philippians 2:5–11 and Hebrews 2:14–15. Christ Jesus, being in very nature God, made Himself nothing, took on human likeness, and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. He shared in our flesh and blood so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death and free those held in fear. The manger and the cross belong to the same story. He was born so that He could die in our place.
Read 1 Peter 2:24. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” The tree of Calvary was, in a real sense, planted in God’s plan before that first Christmas night. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14. And because Jesus died and rose again, Christmas can hold both tears and hope. We grieve those who are no longer at the table, but not as those without hope; God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
Read Ephesians 2:14 and 2 Corinthians 9:15. He Himself is our peace. The greatest gift of Christmas is not under the tree; it is the Savior who went from the manger to the cross and out of the grave. This song gives us a simple way to remember it: Calvary’s tree was planted at Christmas. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
A moment to respond: This Christmas, read Luke 2:1–20 aloud with your family or a friend, then read 1 Peter 2:24 right after it. Talk about why the Baby in the manger came. If the season brings tears for someone you miss, read 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 and thank God for the hope of the resurrection. And if you have never received the gift, receive Jesus today.
Let's pray: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You that the Child in Bethlehem came to bear our sins on the tree at Calvary and rose again to be our peace. In the joy and in the tears of this season, keep our eyes on Him. Let every Christmas memory point us back to the greatest gift of all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that this Christmas you would look past the gifts under the tree to the Savior on Calvary’s tree—and receive Him as the greatest gift of all.
