Oh, Christmas tree... how lovely are your branches.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.
Silver and gold, means so much more when I see... silver and gold decorations, on every Christmas tree.
Silver and gold, means so much more when I see... silver and gold decorations, on every Christmas tree.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly! 'Tis the season to be jolly!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
I truly do love Christmas. I love cards. Breezy little news updates from all corners of my life. I love the songs. And that everyone sings, so no-one notices my off-key contribution to the glee. I love the treats. The cookies. The candies. The soups. The amazing entrees. Did I mention the cookies? I love the pervasive attitude of good will (even in crowded stores).
I especially love the decorations. Twinkling lights. Green, red, and white everywhere. Priceless handmade treasures alongside carefully crafted elegance; joy oozing out of every nook and cranny. When I (fairly ruthlessly) eliminated piles of stuff prior to my move this year, there were still 4 storage bins full of Christmas stuff I had to keep.
However, this year I've opted for minimal decorations.
One small (crochet) tree. One nativity. One Santa doll (not even my favorite). One stocking. One book. Some movies.
I have a lot of reasons.
I'm working an average of 11 hours/day, and worrying about work more than I should when I'm "off." I'm honestly exhausted most of the time lately. The idea of unpacking those boxes (and then repacking them in 4 weeks) is more than I can take right now.
Besides, no-one comes to my place. Ever. There's no reason to. I'm not even (generally) home on weekends. I'll be visiting family for the big day. Not counting the hours spent sleeping or getting ready for work in the morning, I calculate that I'll be home about 120 hours this month - total.
Mainly, though, I'm not decorating my house because it doesn't feel like home.
I'm staying there. My bed is there. But I know it's temporary. More so than the other rentals I've occupied, because I know the owner is planning to sell. In the past, it was always up to me how long I stayed. If I loved a place, I always believed I could stay there, indefinitely. This time, I know that's not the case.
Which gets me thinking about heaven.
One of the most important tenets of my faith is that Earth is not all there is. We have a home that is unimaginably greater than this world.
More fantastic than the fabulous food served at holiday feasts.
More comfortable than a crackling fire and cozy socks on a chilly day.
More thrilling than the moment that long-anticipated, beautifully wrapped gift beneath the elegant tree is finally opened.
More awe-inspiring than the multitudes of stars, shimmering in the night sky, like Christmas lights in stores, on streets, on houses, in trees.
More comfortable than a crackling fire and cozy socks on a chilly day.
More thrilling than the moment that long-anticipated, beautifully wrapped gift beneath the elegant tree is finally opened.
More awe-inspiring than the multitudes of stars, shimmering in the night sky, like Christmas lights in stores, on streets, on houses, in trees.
More joyous than off-key carolers proclaiming the good news of Jesus' birth on every street corner.
More wonderful than a phone call or Skype with someone dear who is far away.
More heart-warming than the love we so imperfectly try to show our families and friends.
More incredible, even, than the magic that keeps Santa on schedule and in the air, year after year.
More blissful than the laughter of children, building snowmen, and hoping for magic.
Ok. Maybe not greater than children laughing. But at least as good.
Merry Christmas, everyone. And whether your decorations are big or small, may they remind you of the hope we have of better yet to come!
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. -Hebrews 11:1
