RIP, Old Christmas Tree

Posted on January 16, 2021 by mitchteemley

Our old Christmas tree came in a box. It was made in China from plastic and steel by people who may or may not have known what Christmas was. It was shiny and new–with 600 pre-lit lights! But it wasn’t real. Still, all trees die in time, even those that aren’t real.

But for 25 years it was a part of our family. And every year it held more and more memories (humans call them “ornaments”). In its presence, we loved each other and loved the One whose birth we celebrated.

Eventually, it was rubbed bare. Half its lights and more than half of its needles were gone, so it was time to put it in a box forever. Its work was done. After all, it wasn’t real. But by the end, I think it had become real. Because, to paraphrase the wisest toy in the nursery’s words to the Velveteen Rabbit, When you’re around love for a long, long time–not just pretend-love but Real love–all of your fake fur or pine needles start to rub off…

And you become Real.

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
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25 Responses to RIP, Old Christmas Tree

  1. Rosaliene Bacchus says:
    January 16, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    Beautiful and heartfelt <3

    Reply
  2. Puzzles of the Soul says:
    January 16, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    Oh so sad the Old Tree had seen so much of your life it held many fond memories time for it to be laid to rest.

    Reply
  3. revruss1220 says:
    January 16, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    Farewell, faithful Teemley Tree.
    Well done, good and faithful servant.

    Reply
  4. Inspirations By Katheryn says:
    January 16, 2021 at 3:12 pm

    Remember last Thanksgiving when you showed us a Thanksgiving tree? Last Christmas I put up a prayer and thanksgiving tree and made signs to put at the top for each month. This is my second month. (It will be up forever now.) Each month, I take everything down and start over. I do have gold snowflakes that always stay up for my Muslim converts. But my white bulbs have a prayer request for one day tapes to them and my silver bulbs have thanksgiving for one day. Oh, and I have little doily coasters with the name of one church family which I add each day. At the end of December I took all down except my Muslim snowflakes and didn’t know what to do with my requests and thanksgiving for the month. I didn’t really want to throw them away. So I used the tape that had attached them to the bulbs to put them on pieces of paper as reminders to read through later. I have pictures, but don’t see a place for them. But, my tree has been a true blessing to me each time I walk past it and pause.

    Reply
  5. Piano girl says:
    January 16, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    Beautiful sentiment. And I love the Velveteen Rabbit. ❤️

    Reply
  6. EilidhGClark says:
    January 16, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    This post is beautiful, thanks so much for sharing. R.i.p green one

    Reply
  7. LifeooNaut says:
    January 16, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    The last quote got me! Wonderful!

    Reply
  8. Liz Gauffreau says:
    January 16, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    There comes a time in every Christmas tree’s life, sadly. But you still have the memories.

    Reply
  9. Bette Cox says:
    January 16, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    Mitch, it’s not just the tree, it’s the memories… every branch, every light, every minute you spent taking it out of the box, putting all the pieces together, dressing it with lovely ornaments and admiring it, those invisible memories flood your heart and spirit. Those will never be buried, they will be resurrected with a brand new tree (and brand new memories) in Christmases to come. 🙂

    Reply
  10. catsartpics says:
    January 16, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    I stopped bringing a tree into my house many years ago because our Lord was crucified on a tree.
    If I’m not mistaken it’s a form of idolatry.
    Jeremiah 10: 2-4

    Reply
    • mitchteemley says:
      January 16, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      Are you a Jehovah’s Witness, Cat? (I know JWs teach that Jesus was crucified on a cross-less “tree,” but no historians do.) Actually, the practice of lighted pine “Christmas” trees (originally with candles) originated in 15th century Germany with Martin Luther. Many cultures have independently come up with the idea of decorating trees (without basing it on ancient myths). It’s rather a natural idea since most decorating throughout history has consisted of arranging things found in nature–and evergreen trees are particularly beautiful. Also, during the winter, virtually every place in the world where evergreens grow has historically decorated their homes with them–since they are natural symbols of life during the barren months. Blessings.

      Reply
  11. Pam Webb says:
    January 16, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    Not into Christmas this year, our tree was a palm plant. We gave away our tree years ago when the last of the kiddos moved away. Time for new traditions, Mitch!

    Reply
  12. bwcarey says:
    January 16, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    as wise as Solomon, well said, like a reliable old jumper, thanks,

    Reply
  13. lisaonthebeach says:
    January 16, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    Awwww, I love this post! Bye bye tree…😢

    Reply
  15. Kelle Porter says:
    January 17, 2021 at 8:53 am

    RIP dear tree

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Reply
  16. librepaley says:
    January 18, 2021 at 5:03 am

    ‘But by the end, I think it had become real’ – just perfect, the living representation of precious family Christmases.

    Reply
  17. Veena Hegde Bhat says:
    January 18, 2021 at 5:13 am

    Sentimental post!

    Reply
  18. Yu/stan/kema says:
    January 18, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    Great post!

    Reply

  19. Pingback: Our Just-the-Right-Height New Christmas Tree! | Mitch Teemley

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