This coniferous tree arrived home at Christmas time in 2000 in a pot, brought by colleagues in the Developmental Paediatrics Unit of CMC Vellore, when they came for the Christmas get together.
This tree accompanied us to Pondicherry in 2010 when we retired from CMC and to our present home in 2012 when we came to live here. It was in 2012 we transplanted it from the pot to the ground in our front garden, close to the cottage.
It grew and became taller leaning towards the cottage. It needed pruning a year ago. Since then its new shoot is growing upward !
Many trees do not give edible fruits to humans. A Christmas tree is one among them.
This tree spreads its branches in all directions bringing shade and shelter to others. It offers shade to the plants in the garden, who require light and not so much of direct sunlight. The birds find this tree as a shelter during the night and rain fall.
In the book of the first Kings in the Old Testament of the Bible, in chapter 19, there is a reference to Elijah who laid down and ' slept under a juniper tree, and behold there was an angel touching him and said to him, arise and eat. Then he looked and behold there was at his head a bread cake baked in hot stones and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again'' (v 5-6).
The juniper tree is also a coniferous tree. It is thought to be a tree symbolising, ' protection, purification and longevity' ! A juniper tree is aromatic, with its bark, leaves and berries being fragrant and refreshing.
A tree offers many benefits. One that touched me this morning is the shade it provides.
Even today, many schools in rural areas not having enough built in classrooms for all children, the shades of the trees are their class rooms.
Some schools although have enough class rooms would still hold some classes under the shade of the trees to bring nature closer to children!
The shade of the tree represents the overarching and enveloping presence of God !
A retreat leader made the participants walk under the shade of trees along half a kilometer, silently and meditatively to listen outwardly and inwardly! I felt moved by that experience because he reminded us at the beginning the walk that we are 'about to walk under the canopy of God. So walk reverently, silently and attentively and feel refreshed'!
I presume he was drawing this insight from the experience of Elijah who was refreshed with bread and water while he slept under a juniper tree.
A shade represents the shadow of God's presence in our lives!
I recall the kindness of friends who gave this tree to us. Their gift of love ministers to us even today!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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