Can a Christmas Tree Talk?

Last week we, like so many other people, decorated our Christmas tree.  Over the years, we have accumulated a diversity of ornaments that give the tree a rather eclectic appearance once they're hung.  Now if all I saw was how it looked to the eye, I admit it may bother my sense of symmetry and cohesion and order, but I see more...I see stories.  Beautiful stories!

Each year, the kids receive a special ornament from their grandparents, along with a note telling why that one was chosen.  They know these stories, and the love behind them, and it is so fun to watch them pull their ornaments out one by one and recount its particular memory as they hang it. 

 Paul "beating" our small family drum ornament

Each year we also add matching family ornaments, one for each of our stockings...a tradition that looks to the future when they'll have families of their own, Lord willing.  We wanted them to have some ornaments to take with them when they leave our home; ornaments that will remind them of the strong bonds of family and how God has worked in our lives.  These ornaments all have stories too.

MJ holding an ornament from England, 

a gift and reminder of relatives that live there.

A number of our ornaments have been hand-crafted by the kids or by friends, or given to us as gifts...these too represent stories of love and friendship and so many other wonderful things.  I used to think decorating the tree was just something to get done during the holiday season.  Add this arena to the list of things I've changed my mind on over the years. Now I am SO GLAD God gives us this time together, remembering, laughing, and sharing our lives.  We make special holiday drinks that usually involve chocolate and/or caramel and whipped cream and coffee.  Christmas music plays in the background, inviting us to sing along.  

"hmmm...what's this one?" - Bekah tells the story!

What a grace-filled morning!

Thank You, Father for giving us time,

for giving us stories of love and grace and friendship,

for giving us Your Son who made it possible for us to be reconciled to You!

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas!