Monday, November 26, 2007

Christmas is four weeks from tomorrow!

I had the best day! I know is SEEMS early, but I began decorating our house for Christmas today. This Saturday, our LOGOS class from Calvary is going out to dinner together and then everyone is coming over to our place for dessert; so I want the house all ready for Christmas. I love Christmas. I love everything about it. I can ignore the commercialism -- it doesn't bother me! I don't really have to involve myself with that very much. I can go to any mall or shopping center and the music is about Jesus! People are humming tunes about MY Savior, and so that makes me really happy!
I decided I would start by putting the tree up today. Last year when I was putting away the decorations, I organized all of the Christmas tree ornaments and fit them completely into two bins. Having everything I needed in just two bins was really helpful! I totally finished the tree tonight.
About two or three years ago, I decided to make our Christmas tree all about Jesus and the wonderful things He has made. So our tree has lots of nativities, flowers, birds, angels, stars, pine cones, wise men, words that praise Him -- and I love it this way. There is something about mixing Jesus and Santa together that never sat well with me, even as a little kid. I just never needed Santa I guess. I had Jesus, after all, and what better gift could there be?

Hebrews 1:1-3 "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down at the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven."

The entire time I was decorating the tree, I played my favorite Christmas albums. Mr. Jones complained about the music being a bit loud, so I had to turn it down some -- but I didn't care. I just wanted the songs to completely fill the house, remind me of His great love for all of us, and worship Him! I never get tired of hearing His love story.
This is the angel that tops our tree. I think she/he is very beautiful. I love to think about the night the angel announced the Good News!

Luke 2:13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”

Hebrews 1:6 …when he presented his honored Son to the world, God said, “Let all the angels of heaven worship him.”

“Glory!” sang the angel chorus
“Glory!” echoed back the night
Love has come to walk among us
Christ the LORD is born this night.

[
From ANTHEM FOR CHRISTMAS
Words: Gloria Gaither
Music: Michael W. Smith]
I had a great time putting up the tree today. I also put the candles in the windows and lit them tonight -- how pretty it is! I'm so thankful this season is upon us. What a great time to think about and be thankful for all He has done for us. I plan to replay His story in music, with lights and pretty ornaments, in beautiful books, and in the fellowship of family and friends for the entire four weeks!

3 comments:

Sabrina said...

Its not too early. I started putting all my decorations up yesterday too! Only I have about 4 tubs that store all of mine. I'm nowhere near done since we had friends over for dinner and I had to stop putting things up. I'll do more today and post my pictures. I've loved going into all the stores I normally shop in and hearing all the Christmas music and not just jingle bells but the songs that speak of Jesus! What a wonderful thing to hear someone else humming along or even wondering what the song is that they like so much and then having someone explain it to them. I love this season!

Emily said...

We don't have Christmas decor. I think thats most b/c we don't have a house...yet. Wait we do have Christmas lights from last year. Happy Christmas Decorating!

Diana said...

Our tree is up. The wreath is on the door and some lights in the house. I have to finish doing the outside now. This is my favorite holiday for many reasons.