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.
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.
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!!!
Well said my sister, I never thought of looking at the tree that way. Now I see my tree as a symbol of thanks for having a family to love and share memories. I will use my tree as a family conversation tree to remember and recall all our blessings.
ReplyDeleteAmen and Merry Christmas!
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