Trees in The Lord of the Rings for an Advent Reflection

Opening meditation
"Abundant life in God was unraveled in a story. Why a story? Perhaps because there is an intimate link between the Incarnate Word and incarnating words. Every story is a birth, an incarnation." (Halm)
"We, as Christians are called to be servants willing to give birth again to the Word, allowing incarnations to happen in our daily living that tell the story of our life in Christ." (Halm)

Week One, Tree One, The Party Tree: Advent is the beginning of an adventure and "you never know where the road will take you." (Bilbo) Before Bilbo sets off on his last adventure he hosts a party for the entire community. The Party Tree, as a gathering place for the community, is a celebration of life. But there is something restless in side of him that calls him to a new adventure, a new journey, "and then find somewhere where I can rest."
Goal for the week: Recapture the spirit of journey in Advent and approach this week with a sense of wonder as you contemplate the road ahead.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, In your virginal conception you began a journey in full communion with all of creation as one of us. May we honor, respect, and defend all life in our communities and where ever our journey takes us.
Amen

Week Two, Tree Two, Old Man Willow: During our journey we discover things that we need to leave behind. Old grudges and anger have no place on this journey towards new birth. And, when we are overtaken by unexpected grief, some times all we can really do is cry out for help: "But Frodo, without any clear idea of knowing why he did so, or what he hoped for, ran along the path crying help! help! help!" And help comes in a most unexpected way.
Goal for the week: Journeys don’t always go the way we expect them and “even the very wise cannot see all ends” (Gandalf), so keep your eyes open and expect help in unlikely places.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the darkness of your mother's womb and the darkness of your last moments on the cross, you committed yourself with full trust to the will of your Father. May we learn that same trust from you that our cries to the Father are always heard and answered.
Amen

Week Three, Tree Three, Treebeard the Ent: Perfect for Gaudate Sunday! We make it to the "halfway point" of moving through the dark time and pause to celebrate the coming joy and light. As we rush headlong to Christmas, Gaudate Sunday calls us to pause and remember what the journey is for. "We must not be hasty. I have become too hot. I must cool myself and think; for it is easier to shout stop! then to do it." (Treebeard)
Goal for the week:Skip, dance, or walk with a spring in your step just knowing you are loved. Pause, slow down and share a smile.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in your quickening in the womb of your mother you leapt for joy and rested under her loving heart. In your patient waiting to enter the world teach us to recognize times for joy and times for rest.
Amen

Week Four, Tree Four, The White Tree of Gondor: Here can be used first the dead tree that stands in the courtyard (fourth Sunday) since it is revered, honored, and still cared for as it calls to mind the promise and hope that the line of the king will not die out. "Many folk like to know beforehand what is to be set on the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the feast like to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise louder. And Aragorn himself waits for a sign." (Gandalf)
Goal for the week: Touch a tree that has lost all its leaves, but remember that there is life there that it is only waiting for the breath of Spring.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, soon to be born into the world, rekindle in us the child like joy of Christmas morn. Who would have expected the Lord of creation to come to us in such a way? We marvel and adore the promise of ages.
Amen

Christmas Day, Final Tree, The New Sapling: (many people put a white candle in the middle of the wreath to represent Christmas). "Turn your face from the green world and look where all seems barren and cold!" (Gandalf) It is on the stony slopes and wastes that Aragorn found the new sapling, "and upon its slender crown it bore one small cluster of flowers whose white petals shone like the sunlit snow." After bringing the sapling to the courtyard to replace the old tree, which is buried with honor, the new tree is planted and "gladly it began to grow." Yet Advent is not the end of our story, but only the beginning, and the words of Aragorn read like a prayer: "'The sign has been given...and the day is not far off.' And he set watchmen upon the hills."
Goal for the week: Gift your Christmas joy in unexpected ways.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, newly born into the world, you bring sunlight from the shadow and the promise of life eternal. By your humble birth we know that we are not forgotten and no longer need be lost. Continue with us on the journey until we, with you, rest safely in our mother's arms.
Amen