The Spirit of Christmas

When I returned home, rested, I felt like I could tackle putting out more decorations other than just the tree. Some of my favorites are the pictures I have each year of my son... I pushed it all the way to age 12 before he pushed back and finally said no more.
It is fun to look back on each year and how he grew.
This is one of my favorites... he was deathly afraid of the big guy in the red suit, but my Dad managed to get him in the picture for the quickest snap before he fled the scene in tears. I remember being so dissapointed not to have a cute picture in his cute Christmas outfit. And I couldn't see his face. I was horrified I had let the season go by without upholding to my traditional photo with Santa.

I was really missing the boat back then. It is my favorite picture now, it helps keep me grounded on what the season really means to me, and I try really hard not to get wrapped up in the things that are not going to be remembered or seen the same way tomorrow.

All the hand made paper decorations over the years. I don't get these anymore, so they are really precious to me. But I try not to cry my eyes out anymore when one doesn't make it through the year in storage... I learned that is really hard on my boys, and they are just paper.

A small collection of Nativities. This is my first one. I never owned one until about 6 years ago when my SIL Patsy sent this to us. It was perfect... I can't believe I never had one before that.... she probably couldn't either, hence the gift.

One year after Christmas they had this set at the $1 store and it went with my bear themed tree. But no sentiment to it.

My Mother sent this one to me, it belonged to my Grandmother, so it has sentimental value. I have only had it a couple of years now.

My MIL gave us this one... one of my favorites, its very contemporary, and when the lights from the tree reflect off of it, its so sparkly and pretty!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt wonderful putting out more decorations to help set a cluttered Christmas tone in the house. One night my Man even let me play Alan Jackson Christmas music at dinner time, and we TURNED OFF THE TV. I know... that is a Christmas miracle in itself. I am always the one who is giddy and full of joy during the holidays. Nothing better than a clean house with music and the glow of lights all around, right.

Last night the boys went out with the church youth group caroling and I was home alone, and still feel like I am flailing with the whole spirit of Christmas. With all the snowmen, and reindeer, and santa, and poinsettas, and angels and trees and presents of the world... it's no wonder we are dazed and confused.

I really had feelings I wanted the whole thing to be over already... who was that in my head? I am always sad when it all ends and I have to take down the tree! I was beginning to realize how sometimes people get sad over the holidays... for no reason. I have everything to be grateful for, and we are so blessed, how could I not be feeling giddy? But I wasn't... how would I turn it around? I could not go through the next 12 days feeling this way!

I turned to the scriptures, and of course they always put things right back into perspective. It is not about any of that stuff, not the money, not the gifts... I can't forget the true meaning of the Christmas Spirit, EVER!!

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TOST LUKE
CHAPTER 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.