My provisional Christmas Tree

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My Provisional Christmas Tree – A Story of Unexpected Growth
✨🌿🎄

In Norway, it’s tradition to decorate the Christmas tree on December 23rd. That’s fine and all—but honestly, it feels a little late for someone like me who wants that cozy Christmas vibe to settle in earlier. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands: I made a provisional Christmas tree.

Nothing fancy. I went out to the garden and sawed off a branch from my lilac tree. Of course, it was bare—it’s winter, after all! But that didn’t matter. I didn’t need leaves, just a branch with some Christmas potential.

Once inside, I dressed it up with lights, ornaments, and glitter—and believe it or not, it actually turned out quite lovely! Not exactly worthy of the town square, but it brought the Christmas spirit into the house, and that was the whole point.

Then something strange happened.
One day, I noticed something green.
“No way,” I thought and leaned in. Sure enough—tiny green leaves were starting to sprout.

I mean—this was a sawn-off branch. No roots. And suddenly it decides to live a little? What was going on?!
Apparently, the warmth of the house had awakened something dormant inside. It was responding to its new environment, even though it was technically... well, cut off.

So I started watering it. (Yes, I watered a branch. Don’t judge me.) Maybe, just maybe, it could keep growing. Maybe it would even bloom!

And that’s when it hit me: this wasn’t just a weird botanical fluke. It was a little miracle—and a powerful reminder.

Isn’t it the same with us sometimes? We feel cut off. Dry. Rootless. Maybe life’s been rough, and we’ve lost touch with what used to bring us joy.

But then we enter warmth.
We’re given water.
And suddenly—something stirs.

In the Bible, Jesus says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5

As long as we stay connected to the source—God—we can actually thrive. Not because our surroundings are perfect, but because we draw life from Him.

So here’s my little encouragement for you this Christmas season:
Stay close to God.
Read the Word.
Listen. Pray.
Let His warmth and living water reach you—even if you feel dry or cut off.

And who knows? Maybe you’ll start to bloom. Maybe something beautiful will grow right where you least expected it.

So thank you, quirky little provisional lilac branch.
You reminded me of something important:
There is hope.
There is life.
Even in the dead of winter.

✨🌿🎄