Dealing With Grief During the Holidays

Your today was my yesterday so I stand as a living witness that God, through time, will heal all wounds. A word of encouragement for those of you who are dealing with grief during this Holiday Season. Please forward and share with anyone who could use a word of encouragement.

The Christmas Tree

I originally wrote this piece in 2004. I am blessed to say it was featured on the front page of the Americus Times Recorder. I've decided to update and share again. I hope it blesses you. 

Have you ever taken the time to REALLY look at your Christmas tree? You'd be amazed at the amount of history you’d find if you would take the time, sit and listen to the story your Christmas tree has to tell. Last week, a family friend, dropped by and immediately begin to compliment me on how beautiful our Christmas tree was. In my eyes our tree was pretty but there was much more room for improvement. My goals were to buy plusher garland and bigger ornaments with more bedazzle and shine. It wasn't until this visit that I was able to truly see the beauty in our tree, not because of the ornaments but because of the story it had to tell.

When Travis and I were first married, somebody gave us a puny “hand me down” tree with a missing leg stand. We had to balance it with an old encyclopedia. We didn't have much money, so for the first few years the only decorations we had were gold garland and a few red and gold ornaments. We decided to add a new ornament each Christmas year and it sort of became a tradition.

Now, here we are 19 years later and our tree has turned into our own little time capsule. We have personalized ornaments from our first few years of marriage, ornaments from each our children's first Christmas', ornaments we received as gifts from our jobs, new ornaments purchased from "After the Holidays" sales and of course ornaments lovingly made by our children each school year. Some have pictures and some are hand written. It's amazing because each ornament takes us back to the Christmas' before and is a reminder of God's blessings over the years. Christmas trees have no bearing on the true reason for the season but our tree has become a symbolic reminder of the blessings of God.

The amount of money in each of our bank accounts will be the determining factor in how most of us will shop for gifts this year. There are those of you who are already feeling discouraged about your inability to "buy the best" for your family and friends. I encourage you... before you allow this to bring you down, take the time to look at your Christmas tree. Look at the little handprints and glittered snowmen and be thankful for your children and grandchildren. Enjoy the lights and thank God for warmth and electricity. If you don't have a Christmas tree, inhale the aroma of cakes, pies, and stuffing and then send praises for having food to eat and if that is not enough, look in the mirror and thank God for life, health and strength. 

Christmas has never been about santa suits, presents or ugly Christmas sweater parties because Jesus is the Reason for the Season. If it had not been for his birth, we would not have a chance at the ultimate gift of eternal life. Jesus is the only tree of life that shines so brightly and without the adornment of holiday lights and decorations. Jesus is my Christmas Tree!!! Whether it's in your home and/or in your hearts, I encourage you to take a moment and really look at your Christmas tree. It's a wonderful way to count your blessings.

Merry Christmas!!!