The “fruit” of a Christmas tree are its ornaments and lights. They’re attractive, they draw people in, and they may even bring refreshment to some. Christmas tree fruit is seedless though. Our one-year-old son knocked off a number of ornaments this year, but not one of them fell to the ground and reproduced another Christmas tree. Instead, the hollow fruit shattered, leaving nothing but a mess to clean up. Christmas tree fruit is decorative, not reproductive.

Most Christians are like Christmas trees. They believe the fruit they’ve been called to bear is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). They hang these fruits on the tree of their life in an attempt to attract others to the life of Christ. Sometimes it works. The bulbous ornaments draw someone in and they want to know more. When this happens, Christians are poised to introduce that person to their pastor and to invite them to their church. The Christian feels a sense of pride because it worked! And after all, isn’t the point of a Christmas tree to have others marvel at its beauty?

The problem with Christmas tree fruit is that it doesn’t have to directly impact anyone else. It’s passive. It’s intended for everyone and no one at the same time. It’s ornamental. It adorns the branches of our life and enhances our own attractiveness. If that feels a bit off to you, it should.