The final layer of our Christmas tree traditional decorations is gold, which represents the future and looking toward heaven.  (Or “glorification,” if you want to use fancy theological terminology.  Which Michael did, for the sake of teaching Ariel the vocabulary.)  “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” is a great carol for this one!

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’  Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’  And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ ”  (Rev. 21:1-5)

(To learn ALL about our tree, with verses and songs that we use for each stage, you can get our book.)