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Fig trees and promises
Decorating the family Christmas tree usually began the weekend following Thanksgiving. A leisurely walk through the aisles of arts and craft stores yielded endless decorating ideas and plenty of the latest designs to purchase.
Gifts had to be wrapped in paper that wasn’t easily recognizable from the previous year. There was slight parental paranoia that the Santa Claus effect would some how be erased with the statement, “I think Santa needs some new paper. He wrapped my Malibu Barbie Beach House in this last year!” (Of course, those of us with boys have little or no concern about this issue.) And, over the years I heard countless stories of “friendly”, emphasis on friendly, competition between neighbors to have the most “oohed” and “ahhed” over decorations in the neighborhood. You know, the ones that blow out the transformers or cause you to put room darkening blinds over your windows at night.
In the race to make Christmas happen, and as children got older, I noticed that my holiday preparations began inching their way closer to December 25th each year. At first it was one day, then a week, then two. The tree went from fresh to artificial. It grew smaller and smaller with fewer decorations. On the other side of the holiday, decorations started coming down earlier and earlier. I didn’t want to have to deal with tinsel and cord knots on light strands after New Year's Day.
An honest assessment and a big nudge from God made me realize that we had joined the tiresome plight to have glitzy decorations, give the latest gifts and attend all the holiday parties we had invitations to. Our family had wandered away from the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think there is anything wrong with Christmas trees, tinsel, warm apple cider, lawn decorations or Christmas parties. It’s just that the saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season” was an empty cliché that was fast becoming trivial.
Yes, He is the reason we celebrate, but do we truly understand the depth of purpose His coming meant? God entered this world in the form of a tiny baby in a musty, hay filled shed intended for animals, to a couple that had humbly obeyed God in His divine purpose. This birth was significant enough that the angels heralded the heavens and the three wisemen detoured to visit and pay homage to the King of kings. Nature paused in recognition. I’m far from perfect. There are things in my life I wish I could bury on a remote island that Tom Hanks couldn’t shipwreck on if he tried. But that was the exact point that caught my attention. “He came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” It was and is a promise – given by the Father Himself.
So, how could I help focus our family on the precious gift that Jesus gave us with His coming? The tree tradition couldn’t simply go away forever. After all there is something inherently gleeful about blinking lights reflecting off sparkling tinsel. But the detour we had taken was due a serious course change. So I asked, “What are we celebrating? A birth, a baby, a way of life, a promise?" A promise. That was it. Our Christmas tree would become a promise tree instead. How would we decorate it to remind us of His promises? Was it possible to share a promise through art to visualize the Word?” God has a wonderful way of answering, especially when it involves improving a relationship with Him.
From these questions and His answers, Angelia Designs and the Fig Tree Tidings ornament lines were launched. Each ornament is inspired by a promise from His Word through the Holy Spirit. Every aspect of design is prayed over, from scripture choices and reference verses to the questions featured on the Bible study bookmarks.
It is also our belief that we have a responsibility to support the missions not only through our personal tithings but with our business tithings as well. For this reason, ten percent of our profits are given to Christian mission organizations who are actively engaged in sharing the gospel and message of salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tithing decisions are made prayerfully with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Our designs can be displayed throughout the year or just at Christmas, but regardless of how you use them, celebrate Christmas and the upcoming year with a commitment to learn more about God through His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal new meaning each time you read His Word. Watch what happens in your home when you renew your faith in Jesus, the true Christmas promise.