An Ornament

Colorful lights, white lights blinking. Shinny bulbs in red, gold or green. Popcorn strung with cranberries, bows and fragile memories surrounded by tinsel and topped by angels.

Beautiful and unique, Christmas trees reflect the creativity of the owner. Some are bright and shinny, others elegant. Trees can create warm feelings of nostalgia or push the envelope of tradition with modern trimmings.

I came across an interesting passage in the Bible the other day. Proverbs 19:11 says, “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” I wondered what the word, ‘glory meant, so I looked it up. Turns out, the first meaning on the list is the word, ‘ornament’.

Well that made me pause. I’ve heard a variety of metaphors used to describe Christians such as sheep, lights, and soldiers, but I’d never heard of a comparison to an ornament.

So God tells us that if we are slow to anger and willingly overlook a transgression we can be one of His ornaments.

“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if a man cleanses himself…he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”

During this Christmas season, ask God to use you to decorate His tree.
Senia Owensby