O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Your branches green delight us
They’re green when summer days of bright
They’re green when winter snow is white
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Your branches green delight us.

It was about a month ago when Bridget, our school secretary, approached me with a bit of news that I could tell she was hesitant to share. “I have something I want you to think about,” she said, in the way you say something when you don’t know how the listener will react. She went on to tell me that the town was looking at the pine tree between the church and the rectory for this year’s Madison Christmas Tree. My immediate reaction was not particularly favorable. After all, I am very fond of that tree and love the way it looks when we light it up at Christmas. But then I started thinking -doesn’t St. Vincent Martyr claim to be a Catholic presence in Madison since the 1860’s, and beyond that, wouldn’t it be truly wonderful to gift the town with our beautiful tree in this year that we are so in need of the Christmas spirit! Our tree will stand as a sign of the hope that came into the world at the birth of our Savior – a hope that is meant for all people of goodwill. It will be a symbol of the peace on earth that Jesus came to establish and that He asks us to grow in our nation and our world. Our tree will shine as light in darkness reminding us to let our lights shine through as acts of kindness, care, and compassion. It will bring Joy to the hearts of all who look upon it, a joy that Jesus wants us to complete by sharing His love with others. I guess by now you know that I said “YES” to the town.
In the spring we will plant a new tree in the place where our honored Christmas tree now stands. It will be planted as a tribute to the faith, hope and love that was called forth in us during this time of pandemic. I will share more on this when we come to that time. For now I offer this prayer of blessing to the stately evergreen that has served us so well for so many years:

Lord our God
We praise you for the light of creation:
The sun, the moon and the stars of night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
The Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
He is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.

Lord God
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen