It is custom in Mongolian families to decorate a Christmas tree as a symbol of a New Year celebration. Because we are a post-Soviet nation, Christmas, which is considered a religious holiday, is not something many celebrate.

I used to have a “New Year Tree” too, and it was always the most exciting time of the year to put the tree up, decorate it with ornaments and see its lights glitter and shine with different colors. Guests would come and put some money on the tree as a gift, and we would collect them when we took the tree down after New Year.

Now I call my tree a Christmas Tree. Most of my family has not yet chosen to follow Jesus, but they all know that I have. This year I found my 6-year-old nephew praying to the tree and making his wishes right after we finish putting it up and turning on its lights. Although I knew his prayers to a tree were pointless, I sensed a genuine prayer full of pure joy and hope, and that was not pointless. I believe God hears those prayers. I remember when I was a young girl praying out to anything or anyone that would hear me saying, “God, Buddha, Jesus, Mohamed…whoever is the real God- please listen!” I know that the real God, the True Creator heard my prayers.

Something about that tree caused my nephew to want to pray. I believe it is the message behind it all the True Redeemer has come for all of us. My Christmas tree and the star on the top brings my family and many others together, just like this star, the star of Bethlehem brought people to Jesus. May many little hearts be guided by the message of the star and the excitement of Christmas to find Jesus in this New Year.