Christmas Mediation ~ By the Light of the Christmas Tree

Christmas 2013

I'll be working over Christmas and New Year's this year.  I'll miss the quiet of Christmas Eve both at home and at church.  Each evening when I am home, I've been making an effort to spend time by the light of the Christmas trees.   It's such a peaceful time.  It reminds me of the Christmas Eve church services growing up: the snug feeling  of sitting in church, surrounded by the loving church family, passing the light from one candle to the next until the entire church was bathed in light and the singing of Silent Night.  As much as I enjoyed all the rest of the holiday celebrations, that part of the Christmas Eve service was always the highlight of Christmas for me and remains so to this day.   

It reminds me how important it is that in teaching our children and grandchildren that the quiet moments of Christmas are just as important as the more exuberant times, that the true wonder of Christmas comes through the real Christmas story. 

And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  
Luke 2:7


Though we've been downsizing so many of our belongings, I find it hard to let the Christmas Decorations go.  We added to them when my parents passed away.  This year, we put a real tree up in the living room ~ I love the scent of them!  It is decorated all in Green, White and Gold.  



The artificial tree went up in the breakfast nook.  It's decorated in Red and Gold with many of our wooden, handmade and natural ornaments added to it.  


It also has many of my mother's red bird ornaments on it! 



The little real tree in the dining room has all the ornaments that I usually put on my little faux feather tree.  Tiny pinecone and woodland critter ornaments.  These are some of my favorite ornaments! 



Then there is the little Faux Feather Tree that I've posted about earlier done up in blue, white and silver this year!  

With all these trees, you'd think I'd have used up all the ornaments, but in truth, there are enough ornaments for at least one or two more trees!  I do enjoy being able to change what I use from year to year!  

But if I had to give up all the Christmas Decorations and other celebrations, much as I enjoy them, celebrating the birth of Christ with a lit candle on a dark night to remind of us of how he brought God's light into the world, the singing of a simple carol of faith and the presence of the family of Christ would keep the meaning of the season in a deeper and more profound way than all the other things that have become associated with Christmas.  

Today is our annual Christmas Open House.  How I wish all my far flung dear family, friends and blog readers could join us!  I hope that you will be with us in spirit if not in person! 

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.
Acts 2:46, 47

Comments

Anonymous said…
Your Christmas is bringing me so much Christmas joy and peace!!! I'm alone this year for the first time ever and you have inspired me to put up my tree in spite of being alone and now I'm so glad I did. All thanks to you:) I love your BLOG and it has brought me many years of pleasure.
Rengin Yazitas said…
I enjoy so much your blog....
May your Christmas glorious.
Rengin
FredaB said…
Hi Lisa

Your blog is always so peaceful to me.
Merry christms to you and your family.

Hugs FredaB
Lisa, your home is beautiful and your meditations so thoughtful and appreciated. Peace and blessings this Christmas and in the New Year.

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