Well it's that time of year again! We finished celebrating our Thanksgiving weekend by putting up our Christmas tree. It is the same tree my husband I have had since our first Christmas together. A little three foot shabby thing I got for $3 at a yard sale because we couldn't afford much. I didn't realize at the time my dear hubby was such a sentimentalist or I might have held out for a bigger tree to begin with. I spent several years wishing and dreaming of getting a bigger fancier tree but, this year especially, have come to love our little "Charlie Brown" tree. It's the simplicity of it really that appeals to me now. The simplicity of not having to stress over hours and hours of decorating it, the simplicity of being able to change how it is decorated each year without spending a fortune to do so. And this simplicity also helps us as a family to focus on why we are really celebrating Christmas at all.
As we decorate, we talk to our children about the symbolism of all that we are doing. We explain to them that the evergreen tree symbolizes the everlasting life we receive by believing that Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross for our sins.
We always put the lights and the garland on first. My kiddos have this one down pat, when asked why we do this they remember "Because Jesus is the light of the world!" As we place ornaments on the tree, I like to think of them as symbolizing all the many blessings God bestows on us throughout the year.
As we decorate, we talk to our children about the symbolism of all that we are doing. We explain to them that the evergreen tree symbolizes the everlasting life we receive by believing that Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross for our sins.
We always put the lights and the garland on first. My kiddos have this one down pat, when asked why we do this they remember "Because Jesus is the light of the world!" As we place ornaments on the tree, I like to think of them as symbolizing all the many blessings God bestows on us throughout the year.
When we open our gifts, we revisit these reminders and talk a bit more about some other symbolism. We discuss why we exchange gifts. We do this to honor the gift of Christ given to us by God the Father. We remember that the Wise Men brought Jesus symbolic gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold. I am pretty proud of my children when they blurt out "Oh, they brought gold because Jesus was a king!" "and Frankincense because He was a priest!" "and Myrrh, the healing oil because Jesus came to heal our relationship with God and because He suffered for our sake."
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51387188/handmade-christmas-joy-gift-box
I like my little tree because it also reminds me of the humble beginnings of our Lord and Savior, and that He CHOSE to step out of heaven and on to this world to live among us and love us and heal us and relate to us.
I pray that your Christmas season is blessed beyond measure. I pray that you find beauty and meaning in all you do to celebrate Christ this season especially, but also throughout the year too.
Cherry's Creations
I pray that your Christmas season is blessed beyond measure. I pray that you find beauty and meaning in all you do to celebrate Christ this season especially, but also throughout the year too.
Cherry's Creations
Comments (18)
I love this post. Thank you Cherry for bringing my focus back to where it should everyday of the year. Jesus.
Blessings,
Cindi
Cherry, thank you for this lovely "simple" yet important reminder why we are celebrating Jesus and his life.♥
Monika
I love how your children 'got it' regarding the symbolism of all the things we do during this wonderful Christmas season! Awesome post!
Handmade Christmas is the best. The pillows I would love to diplay and handmade cards or tags on presents show they are made with love.
thank you, cherry, for this beautifully written post and for sharing your family's lovely traditions celebrating the birth of our King!
blessings,
karla
Thanks for the lovely Christmas message. It is so sweet that you still have the same tree.
That's a lovely tradition, Cherry. We are partial to Charlie Brown trees in my house. What a wonderful learning "tool" you have made it for your Children.
Deuteronomy 6:
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9 Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.
Thank you so much for this lovely devotion, Cherry! So sweet and to the point and a wonderful reminder of why we celebrate.
Thanks for featuring my light bulb earrings. :)
This beautiful post has truly touched my heart.
♥♥♥
Sue
Thanks for all the sweet comments. If you want to see my little tree and you are on Facebook, here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2730509310088&set=a.1207842004357.2032623.1477899156&type=3&theater
Thank you, Cherry, for this post to bring us back to the true meaning of Christmas!
Blessed Christmas to you and your family!
Pearl
I love how you reinforce these truths with your children. It reminded me of Deuteronomy 6:7, when the Israelites were told to continue to talk of the commandments with their children.
Thanks for the post!
I really enjoyed reading how you are using the lights, garland, etc. as an opportunity to teach your children.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Loved this post! It's so sweet to read other peoples Christmas traditions, this made me so happy to read and gave me great ideas for when I have little ones someday too. ^_^ Thanks so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Elfie
My hubby and I also use the little 3' tree we got for our first Christmas. We actually got it on clearance at K-mart that Christmas Eve. It's kind of pathetic and we have way too many ornaments for it now, but I love that crazy thing!
Thanks for the reminder to keep Christ at the center of Christmas!
This was a sweet, thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing!