Christmas Reflections

Here's this year's Christmas tree. I think it's one of the prettiest trees we've gotten. Just the right shape, tall and thin, to fit in its predestined spot.

I'm amazed at how our roles in the decorating process have shifted. Dad still does his he-man act, getting the tree into the base and into the house. Mom (that's me!) strings the lights on the branches and the pretty glitzy ribbon. But my two girls are older now and have taken on "ornament duty." I loved watching them place the ornaments on the branches, asking again the stories behind each one. Some of the sparklies are from my husband's childhood, some are from our travels in Europe, some were gifts from dear ones, and others commemorate the birth and stages of our girls. The tree is an decorative representation of our lives, precious and meaningful.

Several years ago I bought one of those Christmas Words magnet sets for our refrigerator. My family had a ball playing with it and actually created our Christmas card that year from what we wrote. Here's what two adults and two children can do with magnetic words:

The icy cold of morning,
the snowy storm of night.
Christmas LOVE is warming,
at the fire’s light.

Sweet songs of yuletide,
drift through the Christmas cheer.
Hearts sing like an angel,
for PEACE has come so near.

Dawning is the gift,
in the form of one small boy.
Given us so long ago,
Assuring lasting JOY.

May the GOD of LOVE, PEACE and JOY bless you richly now and for the New Year.

M E R R Y
C H R I S T M A S !