This morning I woke up to scattered Christmas decorations — in progress. In most artistic endeavors, before the pretty stage, there is an ugly, messy, undone stage. As I looked around I felt sheepish and uncomfortable about the untold hours we’ve given to decking our halls and yard. Rob and I share a propensity to go overboard in creating “Christmas spirit,” and we’re extra excited this year, because all but one of our five children and their families will be here for Christmas! Four grandchildren!
My timidity and self consciousness started a few nights ago when some friends were discussing Christmas traditions. I started wondering how I could possibly explain to someone totally unaccustomed to our modern celebrations what the Griswolding and redecorating of our home has to do with the birth of Jesus. Despite the joy it brings me, I began to feel embarrassed by the childishness of our enthusiasm. My early morning coffee time went from feeling somewhat sheepish and sad, to researching why we decorate at Christmas, then to inspiration to write my 1st blog in almost six years. After a little internet surfing and a bit of soul searching, here are a few thoughts to consider if you also enjoy decking the halls (in whatever your unique way may be) as you celebrate the birth of Christ.
1. Joy — We are constantly reminded of the depravity in this world. Depression and anxiety are commonplace. But the warm colors, carols, and preparations of the Advent season can help us feel joyous. Energetic. A happy focus during the time of year when darkness seems to swallow up the sun too early each afternoon. For me the joy first sparks in simple things– like pulling out my Christmas mugs. Hanging our growing row of stockings. Setting out each nativity. And what can get pep in your step better than Andy William’s Christmas album blasting through the house as you decorate?
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
2. Made in His Image — Rob and I both have an innate need to create. For me it’s writing, painting and decorating spaces. It’s always about invoking something deeper in myself and others. Genesis tells us in its very first sentence “In the beginning, God created…” I was created in the image of my Creator to be a creator myself! Hopefully, when I am leaning into my faith and creating with the Holy Spirit, anything I do — Christmas decorations or otherwise — serves to point people to Jesus!
3. Snowmen and snowballs — I’ve lived in the deep south all my life, so I’ve not experienced any white Christmases, but snowmen and snow are still a part of our Christmas lore. My research added a little color and meaning to our Southern-style white Christmas. Did you know it all started in the Middle Ages when people lacked resources for artistic expression? They used the snow, which was plentiful, to create! Even Michelangelo was commissioned to build a snowman for the ruler of Florence! My mom used to build and decorate a “straw man” from chicken wire and pine straw– which was plentiful in our neck of the woods. Snowmen bring such simple joy and artistic expression! My snow village is hosting a snowman contest and sports snowmen all around. And many years ago a family Christmas card picture was taken at the beach with the children around their “sand man.”
Even snowballs hold memories for this Georgia girl. One Christmas Rob bought cotton snow balls for the family, and we wrapped three gifts in white boxes, dressed and decorated to look like a snowman for each (adult) child. My Daddy LOVED the indoor snowball fight we had that year — and each year after for his last few Christmases with us. We all saw the once familiar twinkle of mischief and joy in his eyes that was so often absent in his final years. He chased his adult grandchildren throwing snowballs — and we all had a ball. Sort of like Frosty, my Daddy “came to life that day!” What a gift — and all good gifts come from heaven.
4. Like a little child — Speaking of playing, Christmas transports me back to some of my best childhood memories; it’s the only time I wear themed pajamas and reindeer slippers. I buy toys for my adult children. I have an expansive Christmas snow village that’s my grown-up version of a doll house. As I lay it out, I imagine a beautiful, simple village of peace, love and joy. A yearning for a world yet to come? And a similar favorite tradition, I set up my nativity in the manger Rob handmade me one of our first Christmases together. And while none of this is overtly religious, I think Jesus enjoys our childlike joy, anticipation and celebration. Our worship in His Name.
4. Decking the halls –Why do we drag a tree into our homes, light up and bedazzle it? Because it’s FUN (or supposed to be for any grinchy people out there). The evergreens are symbolic of the everlasting life in Christ available to all who love and believe in Him. The trees triangular shapes (hopefully) is reminiscent of the Trinity — and the idea that God is relational in His very nature: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The circular Christmas wreaths represent His never ending love as the Advent wreath anticipates and counts the weeks until we celebrate His birth!
The lights? They remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. Brilliance in the darkness! Our lights welcome family, friends and even strangers who are traveling in the darkness. If you come by our house after Thanksgiving and before New Years, you will see Rob’s handiwork! He has strung about 25,000 lights all over our yard. It takes weeks. As he’s working, he meets new neighbors and talks to friends. People know him for His lights. Because I know who Rob is, I know He’s sharing a light much greater than all the LEDs in Home Depot! Glory to God!
Arranging my Fitz and Floyd reindeer container (just like one my Mom has) is always nostalgic. The green of the holly leaf is again symbolic of the eternal hope we have in Jesus. All who love Him and believe in Him can live in Heaven with Jesus for eternity! We know because of the completed work of Christ when His blood was shed (represented by the red holly berries) on the cross where Jesus died for our sins. Jesus was born for Good Friday and Easter — and our restoration to our Father in heaven. That is more than enough to celebrate every day!
5.. Stockings and gifts — Legend has it that there were daughters of a poor family who hung their stockings by the fire to dry at night. Filled with compassion, St. Nicholas anonymously dropped coins down the chimney into their stockings to provide the girls with a dowry and the hope of marriage and a good life. Surprises, charity, gifts, and love abound at Christmas. What wonderful way to reflect the heart of our Creator, Father, Savior and Friend, to family, friends, strangers, prisoners, those in need…to everyone. Even those normally unwilling to hear about Christ are drawn into our Christmas celebration and our hearts’ expressions of the joy, love, hope, peace found in the birth of the long-anticipated Messiah.
6. Christmas Bells — It’s not Christmas at my house without silver bells, as we grew up calling the red, green and silver Hershey’s kisses my Mom only bought at Christmastime. She would fill the basket her little Christmas elf held with silver bells. I have an elf with a basket too– and I buy and eat chocolate kisses or silver bells every single year. I’ve lost my father and my mom is almost 92. The fond childhood memories these little chocolates trigger make the calories totally worth it (we always have New Year’s resolutions, right?). And we’ve added three oversized bells hanging from the family room chandelier. Throughout history the joyful noise of bells signifies an important event. Churches ring them after weddings, before worship and on Christmas Day!
Writing this has added meaning to my celebrating. Decorations become sign posts pointing me to the One it’s all about. Whether you celebrate in simplicity or abundance, in baking, decorating, giving, or however God leads you — and especially if Christmas can be a lonely and difficult season (which I have experienced too) — my hope is that my reflections will bring joy and perhaps more context to your Christmas — and above all to point you to the one and only source of Life, our sufficiency, our Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ.
John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
PS I’m still working on the technical side of my website, and haven’t been able to update my distribution list. Thanks to those of you who have indicated you’d like to be added — I’ll get there! As always I love all your comments — please feel free to let me know below, if you’d like future posts sent directly to your email.
We love Christmas. Advent reminds us of the wonder of childhood. And it’s an amazing and wonder-filled story, isn’t it!? After riding a donkey all day, Joseph and his wife Mary, a virgin, arrive in Bethlehem with her in labor — to deliver our King in a stable!
He would be born in a humble stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. He would perform many miracles, and teach with Wisdom unexplainable. But He would also be rejected and scorned. The “Inn crowd” would not recognize or accept Him. He would be greeted by shepherds (the lowliest, dirtiest crowd) and dine with sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes. His crowning Glory — the plan from the beginning — was His gruesome death on a Cross. He came to Save each of us, if only we’ll believe.
“O Holy Night” is one of my favorite Christmas Carols. It gives wonderful insight into why Jesus left heaven:
Do not harden you heart when He stirs you with the worth of your soul and His great love. What good is a gift that is never opened?
He wants your heart. Your surrender. Your worship. The God of the universe wants an intimate and personal relationship with YOU through sincere conversation (prayer and reading your Bible). Would you talk to Him now?
I long for peace, stillness, quiet — but I feel busy, distracted, overwhelmed and scattered much of the time. I’m not sure exactly what I’m doing. Which begs the question — what do I WANT to be doing? What really matters?
For many Christians, Jesus (seeking His face) gets lost in our fast paced busyness. We profess that prayer, worship, praise, petitioning God, and reading our Bibles is foundational to our Christian walk. Of utmost importance to us. But some days we barely squeeze in a minute at bedtime to sigh… “Lord please forgive me, bless me and those I love, and please — could I sleep through the night, just this once? I’m so tired.”
I want to change that moving forward… because “normal” only exists as a setting on my dryer! “Normal” days won’t magically follow this “season.” Maybe I will have a little reprieve, but not for long. Life keeps coming. I’m responsible to choose how I will be.
If anyone could have justified busyness it was Jesus. One with God. Always successful. Always good. Infinitely able — but He consistently left demands and to-do lists undone to be alone with God the Father in prayer. It was His priority. And he knew it was necessary and fruitful. How much more so for us — no matter what all we have on our plates?
In John 5:19 Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”
We are too busy (like Martha, reprimanded for doing what did indeed need to get done), if we cannot sit listening at the feet of Jesus when it’s appropriate. Mary was commended for doing the better thing in Luke 10:38-42 . When I am too involved, overwhelmed, pressed, etc. for unhurried time in prayer, the Word, and the Presence of God — I am too busy. No excuses. Just repentance.