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: