I like pretty things. I love to celebrate!
We don't go way over the top with our Christmas decorating. Our tree has been up for a couple of weeks. We have a couple of nativity sets ( I love my Willow Tree nativity and the stable that Dave built to go along with it!), our stockings, some snow men here and there, and our lovely paper chain, made by little hands which look forward to pulling a link off each day in anticipation of Christmas being that much closer.
These are fun traditions for us. We decorate our house and smile. The kids and I rival each other for who gets more excited the day the Christmas decorations come out. As much as I love pretty things, I still desire to keep it simple and keep our main focus on Jesus.
Not just the baby. Not just the story of how he was born. It's a great story, told time and time again, but it is so incomplete to just stop and focus on that. To me Christmas is about God sending his very own son to a position far below his status because of how far below his purposes we had become. It's a wonderful message of hope for a lost people needing a Savior in every sense of the word. It is about new birth and love, joy, and peace, but also about pain, suffering, and sacrifice.
Wow. All of this was done on our behalf. And so we celebrate.
Sara @ Greetings from Butterville had a great idea to show each other our trees. Here is our "sparkly" - as Noe calls it. :)
Check out Sara's blog to link to other's showing their pretty decorations.
Enjoy the season, Enjoy the "sparklies". But most of all lets enjoy our Savior. Not just at this time of the year. Something about that sounds so cliche, but it is truly what is in my heart. I want to be this excited about what he did for me every day of the year.
31 comments:
love the tree...beautiful!!! I have the same nativity set, but have looked for a creche to go with it (willow's s too expensive)....did you make that one? It's perfect!
I love that you emphasize the full picture of God sending His son to earth to reconcile us to Him. It's easy for kids to get caught up in Santa and presents and I want to make sure that when I have kids, those things don't matter as much compared to knowing what Christmas and the celebration are really about.
By the way, I love your nativity set. I've always been drawn to the Willow Tree figurines and only have one in my house of a husband and wife. I hope to get one of a mother and baby when I get pregnant. I saw that the full set of the Willow Tree nativity was nearly $300- that's all of the animals, stable, and everyone! I'll stick with my Veggietales Nativity for now, but one can always dream, huh?
Have fun celebrating with your family!
Noe is right, it is sparkly!!
Can't wait to see ya'll when you're back!!
You humble me. Do you know that? It is SO wonderful that I have you as a friend. You keep me humble.
Your Hubby MADE that stable? UMM, will he make one for ME???? He should sell those! Please tell him that it's beautiful.
Your tree is lovely too!
I do love all the sparkles.
Lovin' your "sparklies", Wendi!! So beautiful!
I also have the Willow Tree nativity...I love it so much.
Enjoying the Savior with you...
Oh, yes! The holidays are so much fun! My friends and I are having a sock swap Friday -- I'm really excited.
Your tree is so pretty!! You are an awesome decorator!
Your tree is beautiful! Love your Willow Tree nativity and your hubby did a wonderful job on the stable!!
Awesome!!! Love your tree too! :)
lovely, wendi, simply lovely:)
love,
dani
Beautiful decorations, beautiful tree...beautiful words for what the season is all about. Thanks for taking a peek at my tree too! Stop by again...I will! Nice to meet you!
love your nativity set as well as your tree. :) very pretty and classic
isn't this a BLAST?! i love poking around and enjoying everyone's posts. especially when you peeps play christmas music too.
okay, so your lights are awesome. are they bigger ones? i love how they look. and the nativity scene is so beautiful. i've always wanted a willow one. seems so much more realistic than the chinsy porcelin one i have. with poor joseph's head missing this year when i pulled it outta the box.
i love what you said about it being a message of hope. couldn't agree more!
Your tree is simply beautiful!
Big beautiful tree. I also love willow tree.
Great post and your tree is so pretty:)
I agree we celebrate the miraculous wonder of God!!! Beautiful tree!!!
I agree with Noe, It is sparkly! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Tree looks great, and I have the same manger!
So very true that we should focus on the whole package. It's easy to lose sight of that.
It is simply beautiful and rich!
What a beautiful tree. I also like your Nativity set. I have some of the figurines and have looked at the Nativity set for a while now. I've enjoyed my visit here too - I looked back at some of your history and have been moved by your testimony.
Your tree is so pretty it shouldbeon the front of a card! Your point about Jesus makes me think of the story of the three trees. the whole story is so importnat, not just the beginning or end.
Blessings!
What a pretty tree!
Thank you, Lord, for sending your Son for us!
Hugs and prayers,
Amanda
great tree! & love the willow tree nativity also...would love to buy one of those sometime! :-)
Love your "sparkly"! And the nativity is awesome. Dave really made your stable? Very handy; looks great!
loving your words here...and echoing your heart...and of course Noe's "sparkley" is just wonderful!
I love the nativity stable that was built. Very sweet. Your tree looks beautiful too.
Happy Birthday Jesus. We love You!
Beth
I'm new here! What a great blog :) ♥ hugs!
oooh! I love your nativity!
Your tree is beautiful, but your family is even more so. Love your blog! Your love for the Lord and the precious family He has given you shines. Thanks for taking the time to share each day. ~Jenny
I love the stable for your nativity scene!! THANK YOU for always being willing to open up and share so much of your faith with us!!
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