Skipping Christmas

The tree that’s green when others die tells us Jesus came and why. To give us life! And so we say, “This Christmastime and every day live in us, dear Lord, we pray.” – Sally Lloyd Jones

“I will tell you one thing, Brit. I will NOT be putting up this many Christmas decorations next year!” Spoken by yours truly to my sister every year for as long as I can remember. Her response never changes. “Oh, Kris. Give it eleven months. You will calm down and be pulling out all of those tubs again, laughing and smiling all the while.”

Eleven months later came, and she was right. Although, there was a conversation with my mother about only putting up a tree this year. I told her how difficult it was to get it all done with children who needed me for so many things, and an infant just made it more difficult.

As the words poured forth, they tasted sour. I had turned my children into an excuse for skipping Christmas instead of an instigator. It seems a little harsh in the wording, but to minimize Christmas in our home would be the equivalent of skipping Christmas altogether.

You have heard me tell about growing up and how my mother always made our home look like a Christmas cottage. She enjoyed the ambiance it created. We all did. Now, I was looking for a scapegoat.

This year Chuck and I decided to purchase a pre-lit Christmas tree with easy assembly. A pre-lit Christmas tree would keep everyone from waiting while I strung lights round and round. Plus, it would be a fast way to get the ornaments on the tree and get them done.

One afternoon while Chuck was at work, Eva and I decided to put the tree up. There was no sense in waiting for us all to be together. Without thinking, we took another shortcut to arrive at completion. Watching me assemble the tree, Eva commented, “That tree looks plastic!” As majestic as it was, I had to agree, but instead, I asked her to stop complaining. A pre-lit tree was the most economical and manageable way to do Christmas. She gave me a tiny grin, agreeing with a nod.

The tree’s shape was flawless. Perhaps that’s what stood out the most. So why didn’t it seem suitable for our home?

Picking out a real tree brings so much anticipation. It marks the beginning of all the Christmas festivities. Looking for the perfect one that will fit inside your home like each family member is part of the pleasantries. Another entertaining occasion with a live tree is watching my husband try to work the tree’s plump, uneven body through the front door. It’s kind of hysterical; vacuuming up pine needles, however, is not.

This Christmas started with ease; an impeccably shaped tree and no pine needles. Looking over at Eva, staring at our “plastic” tree as she calls it, feeling less than optimistic, my heart saddened. Our Christmas was going up in sections. The gathering had gotten lost in the ease.

That evening Chuck walked by the tree several times. Finally, after taking one more pass, he said, “I am packaging this tree back up. We are returning it and going to get a real tree.” We all cheered! Charlotte couldn’t figure out what she was excited about, but those legs were bouncing, and her cheeks were grinning!

I remember my dad telling me, “Sis. Money is not a waste when pure enjoyment is attached to it.”

For us picking out the evergreen is a part of our Christmas traditions. Stringing the lights and listening to everyone anxiously tell me to hurry up so they can hang the ornaments is a part of the enjoyment.

Before I hung up the phone call with my mom that day, she commented that whatever we started now as a family would continue. It would be what our children recollected. Secretly I think she was telling me to be careful what I let become an excuse.

The trip to pick out our tree brought particular excitement this year. One because baby Charlotte was with us and secondly because we knew what traditions were non-negotiable for us.

My home once again twinkles with lights, and sparks of Christmas resonate off every counter. The scent of pine whiffs by on occasion causing me to smile softly. Our tree fits us like a glove; it even came through the door with less trouble than last year, but most of all, I was able to crawl under its sappy branches with the same yearly struggle and give the tree its much needed water. Oh, and the vacuuming of pine needles has commenced, as it should.

Perhaps a real pine is not your tradition. That’s ok. Find what is unique to your family; those things that bring you together and never compromise them.

Skipping Christmas; whoever heard of such a thing?

Welcome Home

“He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, will have everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Don’t forget to purchase your copy of HOME SWEET HOME available now on Amazon. Makes a great Christmas gift! Simply click the link below.

If you are enjoying these posts please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and SHARE below!