INSPIRASUNS

Yesterday, some wonderful volunteers at our church came in to help decorate the Christmas tree that fills our parish hall with such warmth. Another longtime parishioner donated a lifetime’s worth of ornaments to the church several years ago. There are hundreds of ornaments from all over the world. From large, small, plain-colored balls to intricate little birds, Santas, and snowmen, we have them.

As we decorated the tree, I shared how the donor of the ornaments can tell you the history of every one of them. This weekend, when he sees the tree, he’ll stand and smile as he remembers when and where each one was purchased or received. It’s quite impressive, but more than that, it’s so special.

When my husband and I got home last night, we too moved into finishing the final touches on the house for Christmas. Decorating the tree was the last thing on the list. As I started dinner, I told my husband not to wait. After starting the Christmas CDs (yes, we still have a CD player and it’s filled with close to 50 Christmas CDs), he opened the boxes of ornaments and started placing them on the tree.

As he pulled out each ornament, he stopped and looked at it, and we had a conversation about when we got it, who picked it out, who gave it to us, etc. Of course, those discussions took us to walking through memories of past Christmases. I’m smiling this morning just thinking about those ornaments, and more so, the memories we have that brought those special gifts into our lives.

I don’t know if it’s the time of the year or what, but as you’ve read in these recent little blogs, I’ve been walking down memory lane quite a bit. And…I encourage you to do the same. Take some time this evening to sit and look at those ornaments on your tree, or the special decorations around your home. Recall where you got them, and give thanks for the memories they bring.

Ya, I’m a sap this time of year, but hey…it’s ok. Take a moment to give thanks for the gifts in your life, friends, especially the gift of Baby Jesus.

Have a good day all 🙂 .

Luke 2:10-12
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”