For many Christmases, I decorated a tree for every room – even the
bathrooms. I had a tree with kitchen items, one with intricate, old-fashioned
ornaments, another with all the ornaments my children made, and a teeny tiny
tree in the bathroom with miniature ornaments. The trees were of all shapes and
sizes and colors, like all white lights or big fat colorful bulbs or fiber
optic trees with changing lights.
Of all the trees, my favorite was the one with ornaments my children
and I made like felt crafts with school pictures inside or sloppily painted
candy canes. Most visitors oohed and complimented the big, gold, fancy tree in
the family room, but the most beautiful tree in the house held the handmade
ornaments that brought back memories of wonderful times spent with my family.
What part of the holidays is most beautiful to you? The smiles on your
children or grandchildren’s faces? The parks with thousands of lights strung
for miles on end? The warms glow of Christmas trees with lovingly wrapped gifts
underneath? Or it might be a table of food spread for your family to enjoy.
All these things are beautiful, but the most beautiful sight is the
Nativity. I have many throughout my house and one in the front yard to remind all who come to my home that the
holiday is beautiful because a Savior was born and laid in a not-so-beautiful
manger in a smelly stable. Jesus brought grace and salvation to an ugly world.
He is the Gift. Let us not forget His love and grace that’s indescribable.
Dear Lord, thank You for the precious and holy gift in the form of a baby that we celebrate this CHRISTmas. In Jesus' sweet and beautiful Name, I pray. Amen.
