As Christmastime approached, all of us fifth-grade teachers would order each student a pack of Christmas pencils with their names on them. The kids loved seeing their names on the pencils, and we loved knowing that everyone had one. Having their names on the pencils made it easy to return them to their rightful owner if they were ever lost or … “taken by mistake”.
The pencil has always been my favorite writing instrument. One perched behind my ear became my signature at school (mostly because I tend to make mistakes). Even at this stage of my life, I still hold a yellow pencil every morning as I read my Bible. There’s just something comforting about knowing that stray marks and poorly written letters in the margins can be erased.
A pencil in the hand of a mathematician can be used to solve even the most complex problems. Poets use pencils to brainstorm phrases that evoke deep emotion. Musicians sketch harmonic notes to craft sweet melodies. The pencil alone does nothing; the mark it makes depends on who’s holding it.
Here’s a fun fact: one tree can produce 170,000 pencils, and a single pencil can write about 45,000 words. That’s a lot of potential! Did you know that wooden pencils are made from cedar, which symbolizes strength, majesty, purity, and righteousness in Scripture? Solomon used the mighty Cedars of Lebanon to build the first temple. David’s palace was also built from cedar. Additionally, cedar was used ritually to cleanse someone of leprosy. Likewise, One Tree of Life, called Jesus, can create an endless number of believers who have the potential to leave a multitude of significant marks on the world.
We call the material inside a pencil ‘lead’, but pencils don’t actually contain lead. Long ago, graphite was mistaken for lead because of its dark, shiny, metallic appearance. Somehow, the term ‘lead’ stuck and has become a common name for what’s inside the pencil. Our hard work and initiative can sometimes be mistaken for the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. We may be tempted to take credit for our shiny accomplishments rather than give credit where it is due.
In the early days of making pencils, the best graphite was from China. Pencil companies took pride in using Chinese graphite. As part of their marketing strategy, they painted their pencils yellow because the Chinese associated that color with royalty and respect. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:9 that as believers, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, so we can praise the one who brought us out of darkness and into His glorious light. Maybe that’s why the sun’s rays are yellow!
Yes, the pencil serves as a perfect metaphor for a tool in the Master’s hand. As we prepare for Christmas, let’s focus on the One holding our lives in His hand. He has created us to leave a meaningful mark on the world. He has imprinted all who call Him Lord with the most special of names – “MINE”! Isaiah wrote, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b) We have an honorable purpose; He created us to reflect His love and to glorify His name. “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21 NLT)
Next week, Pencils for Christmas: Perfectly Processed
