This time of year, there are customary activities I like to do even though there is a wee bit of dread of the hassle and extra messiness. Getting someone to drag down all my Christmas decorations from the attic and getting them sprawl out, I ask myself is it worth the extra trouble. This year I’m embracing less is more so only half of my Christmas trinkets made their annual trek from the attic.
For one whole week the Christmas tree stood in a corner naked wearing only it’s pre-lit lights. Yes, this girls uses an artificial Christmas tree. One Saturday morning, my eyes crack open before the sun has kissed the sky and I rolled out of bed with the sheer determination that the one thing I’ll check off my list this weekend is decorating the Christmas tree.
Some where between hanging balls, swirling the ribbons, and looking into the lights my mind shifts from the ordinary of this simple tree with all of it’s imperfections. The little white doves placed upon the tree remind of the peace that is available to me through Jesus. A peace that does not require everything around me is without disruptions or turmoil. A plastic angel brings to mind the truth of Psalm 91:11, For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. (NASB) I’m tempted to try to hide the broken white snowflake because I want the tree to look as perfect as possible. But perfection is only a delusion. Oh how great God was to know that we could never get it all right. No matter how much we dress up or decorate ourselves we still need the blood of Jesus to wash our sin-stain lives white snow.
Those twinkling white lights are reminiscent of the great light that came into a dark world to show the way.
When I purchased those decorations many years ago, I bought what looked good and what went with the color scheme I was using at the time. But as I finished decorating the tree, there was a new found appreciation for the beauty and hope I see as I look upon the tree.
If you are like me you feel the pull this time of year between the sacred and all the sales. In all of the hustle and bustle this season brings may we each find those moments to look beyond all the tinsels, trimmings, and shining things and call to mind that which is eternal.
Wishing you a Christmas that is merry and one that is filled with faith, hope, and love.
