Dad was not very keen on a lot of fuss and decoration for Christmas. This bothered me for many years as I do love to pretty things up the way others do - although on my budget I've had to become quite resourceful.
A few years ago I let him donate Mom's small artificial Christmas tree to a charity auction as I had come to the place too, where I didn't need all the trappings and fuss to feel I was experiencing Christmas.
One day we were discussing whether we were obligated to buy a new tree because certain relatives were coming who think it isn't Christmas without a nice tree surrounded by gifts. Dad said in the car, "It's more important to have Christmas in the heart. For my part, we don't need a tree."
I agreed, and didn't want to take that away from him. So I said, "Well, if they don't bring one, or offer to buy one, we'll just explain that for us a Christmas attitude is more important than all the trimmings."
It satisfied Dad. "Okay, let 'em buy it if they have to have one."
This is not to say I don't make an effort to decorate with what we have. Like, Mom had long ago bought a 20" star with yellow lights that she hung in the window. I still hang it up too, so the neighbours don't think we are heathen, but Dad doesn't waste electricity, so we plug it just a few holiday evenings.
I use our incoming Christmas cards to spruce up our living room. I hang a few wreaths, and as Mom told me when I was her kitchen maid, the best decorating is simply to clean and tidy things up.
My innate desire to give something - even out of my poverty has led me to make a fairly large effort with my cards and letters. In recent years I've written an original Christmas story so that my cards are much more than just a printed greeting and a handwritten signature. This seems to take up a lot of time in November and December, and other agenda plans have to give way to it. But it seems to be appreciated.
This year I'm making up gift baskets with samples of baking and the recipes to make them on shiny cards.
Beyond these small efforts, pale compared to what others do, I adopt Dad's philosophy. I want Christmas in my heart.
If you were to celebrate Christmas in your heart, what should it look and feel like?
It may seem odd to worship a baby, but some wise men travelled a great distance to do so. Obviously, He is worthy of worship. We know the baby-stage of Christ's coming was only the beginning, so in fact, we keep in mind His whole life, His death, and His resurrection!
Worship is a function of our spirit, something we do in our hearts. Singing carols and praying with devotion are the best expressions of such worship. But good times with loved ones are too.
Since Christ came to serve others, we honour Him and give Him joy, when we do the same for those around us and whoever we can help. This certainly includes gifts, but it includes the secret and unseen things we do for others as well as the obvious. I think it includes sharing what I have. Even poor folks have some things lying around that we are not using. But someone else could! So pass them on.
Feeding the hungry is another way. Particularly if you can feed someone who can't return the favour.
You may wish someone would tell you exactly how, when and where to do these acts. Feeling stunned and unsure where to begin? Then go off to your favourite chair or thinking place, and ask God your questions in prayer. Then wait right there until ideas start coming to you.
Soon you will know. You'll have enough to do for a good start. You'll have Christmas in your heart!
What's more, you will be able to tell this is true by the peace and joy and love that comes over you.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
Ruth Marlene Friesen makes friends wherever she goes!
Her friends become her rare roses at Ruthes-SecretRoses.com
Order the softcover edition at Booklocker.com
And- Subscribe to her weekly ezine RoseBouquet
To follow and get to know Ruth better!
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
[Article may be reprinted only with this resource box].
Back Inspirational Articles (index)
Ruth Marlene Friesen
The Responsible One
Privacy Promises ~~
Sitemap
Ruthe's Secret Roses (official site)
©2001-2022 Ruth Marlene Friesen
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada