Celebrating Christmas

Well it's that time of year again! We finished celebrating our Thanksgiving weekend by putting up our Christmas tree. It is the same tree my husband I have had since our first Christmas together. A little three foot shabby thing I got for $3 at a yard sale because we couldn't afford much. I didn't realize at the time my dear hubby was such a sentimentalist or I might have held out for a bigger tree to begin with. I spent several years wishing and dreaming of getting a bigger fancier tree but, this year especially, have come to love our little "Charlie Brown" tree. It's the simplicity of it really that appeals to me now. The simplicity of not having to stress over hours and hours of decorating it, the simplicity of being able to change how it is decorated each year without spending a fortune to do so. And this simplicity also helps us as a family to focus on why we are really celebrating Christmas at all.

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As we decorate, we talk to our children about the symbolism of all that we are doing. We explain to them that the evergreen tree symbolizes the everlasting life we receive by believing that Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross for our sins.

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We always put the lights and the garland on first. My kiddos have this one down pat, when asked why we do this they remember "Because Jesus is the light of the world!" As we place ornaments on the tree, I like to think of them as symbolizing all the many blessings God bestows on us throughout the year.

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When we open our gifts, we revisit these reminders and talk a bit more about some other symbolism. We discuss why we exchange gifts. We do this to honor the gift of Christ given to us by God the Father. We remember that the Wise Men brought Jesus symbolic gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold. I am pretty proud of my children when they blurt out "Oh, they brought gold because Jesus was a king!" "and Frankincense because He was a priest!" "and Myrrh, the healing oil because Jesus came to heal our relationship with God and because He suffered for our sake."

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I like my little tree because it also reminds me of the humble beginnings of our Lord and Savior, and that He CHOSE to step out of heaven and on to this world to live among us and love us and heal us and relate to us.

I pray that your Christmas season is blessed beyond measure. I pray that you find beauty and meaning in all you do to celebrate Christ this season especially, but also throughout the year too.

Cherry's Creations