Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: I’ll be Home for Christmas
As I write this, the snow is gently falling outside and I’m sitting by the Christmas tree, cozying in for the evening. Pretty nice. Here in northern Illinois, the temperature has been in single digits most mornings for the last two weeks. Can you remember a morning after a snowfall when the sun was shining and the snow sparkled like the glitter on a Christmas card scene? I hope we have a snow like that this winter.
My husband Brian and I moved to our new townhouse last summer and still have some painting and other projects ahead of us. But there’s nothing like the first Christmas with family present to transform a house into a home. We finally gave in four years ago and bought an artificial tree. It came out the day after Thanksgiving and is full of ornaments, many of which have special memories attached. There are several that have survived since Brian and I were married. A football helmet and baseball belong to our son. Homemade wooden clothes pin reindeer like those I made for our children’s classroom Christmas parties.
There are beautiful glass ornaments as well. I collect ornaments from places we have visited. The most recent addition, one I purchased in Monterey at the Books & Such retreat last October, reminds me of the warm, fun, productive time we spent nurturing friendships and benefiting professionally in that beautiful setting.
Another ornament with special memories attached is the starburst with the symbol of the Holy Spirit in the center. I purchased this in the gift shop at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. When our son was a junior in high school, I chaperoned the high school band’s trip to march in the Millennium parade. Remember the concern over the Millennium Bug? One of the most important contributions to our Christmas traditions is the nativity set that my mother painted, glazed, and fired. She was able to make sets for my sister and me and most of her grandchildren before she died. (My daughter found identical sets for the remaining grandchildren, and we all agreed they had Grandma’s blessing.) It’s a joy to see these sets displayed as a focal point in each of our homes, not only as a remembrance of my loving mother and grandmother, but especially as our common bond of faith in our Savior, born to show the way to our eternal home.
I don’t know about you, but I have many loved ones and friends who don’t acknowledge the real reason for Christmas. Let’s pray together for opportunities to be an accurate reflection of his love, his truth, and his grace to our families, friends, and acquaintances that need to know him as Savior and Lord.
Lenore Buth
The first Christmas my husband and I had a tree we had lots of love but not much money. I found ten little hand-painted wooden angels–the biggest bang for my $1.98. I loved them.
Over the years four energetic little girls handled them and played “angel” with them. They got jostled around during our numerous moves. A couple of them survive, bearing dents and scars. One needs its head reglued again and other lost a wing. But they look as cheerful as ever. Every year I take them out and smile, remembering Christmases past.
Your last paragraph perfectly expresses my own prayer for people in our lives, Mary. Thanks.
May your new home be filled with the smell of Kringla and the timeless JOY of Christ-mas!
Sarah Forgrave
I love your idea of collecting ornaments in all the different places you’ve visited. Is it okay if I copy? 🙂 I just started a new tradition of buying an ornament for each of my children every year. By the time they leave the house, they should have a nice little collection.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
Mary Keeley
Thanks for sharing about your angels, Lenore. What a beautiful symbol of your family’s Christmas history. I will indeed be praying together with you that we will be effective reflections of Christ. God bless your Christmas too.
Caroline
I agree with you on your last paragraph as well. My husband and I were just discussing tonight how we can effectively and lovingly show Christ’s love to our loved ones this Christmas. To shine without judgment or condemnation, but instead allow every aspect of our life to lead others to see “Oh, that’s what faith means.” I fail at that so many times, but keep praying and keep trying!
Thank you for sharing pictures of your decorations with us!
Martha Ramirez
Wishing you and Books and Such a very Merry Christmas!!