Have you read Shel Silverstein’s book The Giving Tree?
It’s a beautiful story about the relationship between a young boy and a tree, one that lasts until the boy is an old man. It’s a story full of deep truths about need and sacrifice, love and friendship, life and death.
When we began planning for our Give It Away Advent Series last month, it was Shel’s beloved story that inspired an entirely different sort of Giving Tree. Comprised of four inter : mission worship hours and a special Christmas concert, the series was in aid of the Methodist Relief and Development Fund: a charity that works in African, Asian, and Latin American communities to empower its members and bring about long-term change. So, on every branch of our Giving Tree hung a small fabric bag corresponding with a specific MRDF project.
(photos by the talented Will Carroll)
As the Giving Tree sat in the sanctuary of the church over those weeks, someone took notice. Our friend Lyn Smalridge is a part of a prayer group that meets on Thursday evenings; during a time of quiet, of talking and listening, thanking and interceding, God reached into Lyn’s heart and drew out words. And boy, are we glad he had the courage to write them down!
We want to share Lyn’s poem with you, because it’s not just for Advent or Christmas or any one season. It’s a story full of deep truths about need and sacrifice, love and friendship, life and death.
On Its Branches
Look! A tree - A giving tree.
On its branches hang -
Colourful sacks,
For gifts of money
To change lives elsewhere.
In our love,
May we give as generously as our hearts direct
And pockets allow.
Look! A tree - A dying tree.
On its branches hangs -
A young man.
The gift of His life
To change our lives for ever.
Giving His all,
In His love
That we might receive
Forgiveness, reconciliation and love.
Look! A tree - A living tree
On its branches hangs -
Our lives.
The gift of this life,
Day by day.
With all its joys and sorrows.
In our love,
May we be rooted firmly in God
And grow in rich relationship with Him.
Look! A tree - A Christmas tree
On its branches hangs -
Lights and baubles.
The gift of Christmas
Joy and celebration.
A baby born.
In His love,
God with us forever.
May we welcome Him into our hearts.
