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Today's Devotion
From Dr. David Jeremiah
A Life Evergreen: The Christmas Tree
December 20, 2025
The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden.
Genesis 2:9
Recommended Reading:
Revelation 22:1-522 And he showed me a pure[{{f}}] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
Joyce Kilmer was born during the Christmas season of 1886. His father (yes, Joyce was a man) invented Johnson’s Baby Powder. As a young man, Joyce married poet Aline Murray, and they had five children. The illness of their daughter Rose brought Kilmer to faith in God. During World War I he was deployed to Europe where he was killed by a sniper at age 31. If you didn’t recognize Kilmer’s name, perhaps you will recall this little verse from one of his poems: “Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.”
For centuries, families have been bringing trees indoors as part of their Christmas celebrations. It enables us to see God’s handiwork up close. Every needle and pinecone are designed by the Maker. Many theologians believe the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden—the symbol of eternal life—was emblematic of Christ. As you enjoy your Christmas tree this year, think of Jesus as both Creator and Savior, and let the fragrance of joy fill your home.
I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree…. A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray.
Joyce Kilmer
