This picture appeared on Facebook earlier this week and appeared to attract quite a bit of attention, my first reaction was one of amazement that in the knarled roots of an old tree, new life is sprouting forth and at face value, the picture is quite amazing and a wonder to behold. Next week we will begin our journey through Advent once again and because of that, today marks the final Sunday as we reach the final conclusion that “Christ is King!” and Rev Diane Smith reminds of this in her reflection in the printed service for today, which can be found on the website www.methodistic.org.uk and is well worth reading. As we prepare to journey through Advent, we will once again remember the huge change that happened in the world with the baby born in the manger and we celebrate afresh the gift of new life in Christ.
Look a little closer at the tree above and to the right of the new tree, there looks to be an arm and a hand touching what is old. For me, this reminds me that we are somehow earthed in God’s love, we do well, particularly at times like these to cling to that fact, I think there is something precious in the picture that the old tree stump appears to be protecting and maybe even nurturing the new growth. Often at times of change, we focus on the new and if we are not careful we can disregard the old, I think that we should be careful not to do so. The Methodist Church Christmas campaign this year is based around the promise “God is With Us” based on the words of John Wesley on his death bed “the best of all is God is with us” and I think that is a reminder to us that when Jesus came into the world, it was not to do away with old, but to bring new life.
Look at the new tree growing in the middle, at a cursory glance you will see one tree, yet look closer and there are two trunks growing side by side. The one in the forground separates and then branches start come away from side to side. One of the criticisms of Church that I have heard over the years is to do with the different belief patterns. Sadly, I have experienced people falling out with Churches over differences of opinion, maybe the tree is a good reminder that we can not all make the same journey in the same way, we will have differences of opinion, we will want to branch of in our own direction, but we must always reamain well and truly rooted in the Words of God.
Finally, look at where the new life is found, in the most vulnerable places. Maybe we all feel vulnerable at the moment? That is exactly why I believe that we should remain connected in whatever ways we can. If you are finding life difficult at the moment, particulalry with the pressures of an uncertain Christmas looming up, look at the tree, where does your support come from?