The Third and Last Week of Christmas...

With the cards mailed and the packages on their way to loved ones far and near; the musical performances only a golden memory and the temperatures outside dipping way, way down; it is time to focus on beautifying the lonely tree that stands in the front window waiting to be adorned. Most years, I would have gotten that job done the day after Thanksgiving, but this year, for some strange reason, it just got ignored. Now, that tree is calling me and telling me to get out the ornaments that are so cherished. In years past, I have had a white tree adorned with garlands of red ribbons and nothing but red balls; or a whimisical "Teddy Bear" tree crammed full of teddy bears with bigger bears resting beneath its branches; or a magical angel tree with nothing but angel ornaments and a white and gold angel atop the tree; or a traditional tree with all the ornaments from every year past, including some of the above mentioned ornaments. This year, I have just not been inspired as to what to do with the tree, so there it sits waiting for my decision.


I have a cousin in Bend, Oregon, who (for want of space in their living room) always hangs their Christmas tree upside down from the ceiling! And I actually found a picture of such a tree -- not theirs, mind you, but an upside down tree, none the less! It was always the center of attention whenever we went to visit them. I loved that tree! Perhaps I should do a tree such as this!



A few years back, we were in Williamsburg, Virginia for Thanksgiving, and Washington, D.C. on the day they were decorating the huge Christmas Tree in front of the White House. I mean to tell you, that tree is huge! A bit much for my living room, so I've opted not to copy that one.

Perhaps I will do as my mother did many years ago, and on Christmas Eve, when everyone is sound asleep, I will sneak into the Family Room and decorate the tree and it will be a surprise for Dean and Billy on Christmas morning. We shall see!

At any rate, there will be a decorated tree, and there will be gifts from near and far because the people in this house are loved. And beneath the tree will be our traditional Creche, with the Nativity figures representing the first Christmas. There was no tree then. There were only lowly creatures in the beginning to stand in awe at the birth of their creator. There was a humble father and a blessed mother and a babe that was "wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." It was a quiet night. It was a Holy Night. And for a short time Mary and Joseph were allowed solitude to wrap their hearts around the miracle of this birth and the mission that their son was created for. I would have loved to have been there in those quiet moments.

Perhaps that is why my mother waited until Christmas Eve to decorate the tree. She waited for quiet moments to reflect on the real reason for the Christmas Holy-Day. I can picture her thinking about the birth of our Savior with each and every carefully straightened strand of tinsel that she hung so lovingly on every branch of the tree -- one at a time! I can imagine that her heart was full of gratitude for our Savior and for her family and the home that she so lovingly cared for.



Merry Christmas everyone! May your Christmas be everything that you hoped it would be and more. As you open each gift, pause and remember the greatest gift of all -- the gift of love and eternal life brought to each of us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.