December 16, 2012 - Third Sunday in Advent

Father Christmas

Carolers by candlelight

Today something happened that hasn't happened for several years.  My husband hauled the Christmas decorations upstairs, and I put them up.  Happily!  The collection of "Father Christmases", all the Swedish decorations, the Nativity scene, and of course, the tree.  We have had a tree the past several years - I just haven't gathered the energy to put up other things.  Not since my mother died.  Perhaps that's because my mother always decorated happily, and quite fully, for Christmas, and I miss her.  Perhaps it's because I really don't care for clutter, and I have sometimes done too much, making myself feel a bit claustrophobic.  Whatever the reason, this year, decorations went up, and I am enjoying the whimsy of the decorations, the beauty of candlelight, the loveliness of ornaments on a tree, and the quiet grace of the nativity.  I think it is just enough to keep me connected to my mother, and little enough to keep me connected to Jesus.  For both, I am thankful.