A Christmas Journey: A Christmas Eve Service of Candles and Carols
Devotional
A Christmas Journey
A Collection of Resources for Advent and Christmas
Object:
Trimming The Tree
With each move, finding the perfect place for the Christmas tree was the post-Thanksgiving challenge. Sizes and styles of houses varied, but the size of the tree remained constant. Living far from family not only meant that the UPS man replaced Santa; it also meant that the arrival of presents was not limited to Christmas Eve. Indeed, the man in brown came early and there were hopes that he would also come often.
The only place to store gifts was under the tree. That meant that the tree had to be decked and trimmed for Christmas before that first visit from UPS. First one string of lights and then another were plugged in and carefully checked. The garland was carefully laid out across the back of the couch. Finally, the ornaments were gently removed from their boxes and arranged for all to see.
Before any lights were put on, before any ornaments were hung, or before any garland graced the tree, an old record was put on the stereo. It became a family tradition to listen before decorating. The song never ceased to work its magic. In it a little altar boy was asked to pray for a sinner gone wrong. It raises the question of what must one do to be holy?
The song put decorating in a different light. It made decorating a matter of the heart, an expression of love, something done as a gift to the Lord. It wasn't something to be conquered or to be crossed off the list. Rather, it became a way of embracing a sacred moment.
With each move, finding the perfect place for the Christmas tree was the post-Thanksgiving challenge. Sizes and styles of houses varied, but the size of the tree remained constant. Living far from family not only meant that the UPS man replaced Santa; it also meant that the arrival of presents was not limited to Christmas Eve. Indeed, the man in brown came early and there were hopes that he would also come often.
The only place to store gifts was under the tree. That meant that the tree had to be decked and trimmed for Christmas before that first visit from UPS. First one string of lights and then another were plugged in and carefully checked. The garland was carefully laid out across the back of the couch. Finally, the ornaments were gently removed from their boxes and arranged for all to see.
Before any lights were put on, before any ornaments were hung, or before any garland graced the tree, an old record was put on the stereo. It became a family tradition to listen before decorating. The song never ceased to work its magic. In it a little altar boy was asked to pray for a sinner gone wrong. It raises the question of what must one do to be holy?
The song put decorating in a different light. It made decorating a matter of the heart, an expression of love, something done as a gift to the Lord. It wasn't something to be conquered or to be crossed off the list. Rather, it became a way of embracing a sacred moment.
