merry bleep

i remember in past years hearing people talk about not liking the phrase "happy holidays" and wanting to keep Christ in "Christ"mas, but this year i think i have heard it more than all previous years combined.

i am not sure why we as believers expect unbelievers to see the meaning of saying "merry christmas." i do understand why many choose to not use the word christmas when speaking to a large group or to a stranger - they want to recognize the various celebrations of this season - remember, they aren't believers.

and i have to admit that i am proud and so thankful to live in a country of religious freedom; a country where we are free to worship as we wish and to observe whatever celebrations are a part of the beliefs we choose. aren't Christians so often upset that tolerance is preached but not practiced toward them? i think that may be where this opposition to the simple phrase "happy holidays" comes from. christians feel that their beliefs are under attack. i feel like a kind "happy holidays" from someone is a recoginition of the various beliefs of their fellow citizens - their attempt to actually include all beliefs and not to exclude any. of course, my hope and prayer is that all would have their eyes opened to the truth of the Bible and the forgiveness found in the blood of Jesus, but i realize that not everyone will accept the truth. and because of this realization i am not offended or upset when someone wishes me a happy holiday.

i can not expect behavior, beliefs, or actions of a believer from an unbeliever. all i can do is live out and speak out when possible the truth of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. and i can kindly accept a greeting of "happy holidays" and offer a "merry christmas" to those i come across this time of year.

hark! the herald angels stress...

i am pretty sure the herald angels were singing and not stressing, but it is easy to forget about the singing this time of year. i haven't noticed it in past years so much, but this Christmas i find myself looking like this:


it started with the decorations - put the tree up, don't put the tree up; decorate only the living room, decorate any room with a surface to decorate; too many decorations, not enough decorations.

followed by the card - send a card, don't send a card; pay extra for a photo card, send a simple card; send a card to every person you have made eye contact with since kindergarten, send a card to family and close friends.

then came the shopping - so many people, so little money. it seems like there just isn't enough cash to buy decent gifts for everyone on our list.

and what is Christmas without decorations, cards, and gifts?! i think i need to take a breath. i need to remember that Christmas isn't about any one of those things. and while i know that Christmas is the time of year i can reflect on the birth of my Savior, that great Gift gets lost and nearly forgotten under all the envelope addressing and gift wrapping. i spend more evenings lamenting all that is still left to do and buy and no time praising the Baby born to save my soul.

i don't believe that anything is inheritantly wrong with decorating your home or giving a gift. however, if the meaning of Christmas is an afterthought, an excuse to buy and receive, there is a problem.

Jesus was born so that we may receive a gift not found in stores; a gift that would not be forgotten before the next December 25th rolls around; a gift that relieves stress, not causes it; maybe next year we will forgo all of the commercial/consumerist pomp and circumstance and use the season to be thankful for and to share the best gift ever given - eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ.

may we remember the young mother cradling her newborn Son - her Son sent to be the Savior of the world.

"Kissing the Face of God" by Morgan Weistling

our christmas home

boy, i haven't been around here much lately. and i am super late for the nester's christmas tour of homes. but better late than never, right??? my decorations are pretty minimal this year with a newly cruising/just about walking, into everything and everything into her mouth 11 month old!

so without further ado - welcome to my christmas home!

our front door

a close up of the wreath. i made this about 3 years ago and it has really held up well!

the mat right inside the door.

the hallway as you enter

a "gift" my husband's grandmother made - i leave it out year round because it matches my kitchen.

this mirror is over our couch. i got the wreath at target for $2.50 and hot glued the ornaments on.

i usually use this glass bead garland on our tree. but this year we opted not to put the big tree up because of buggie's uncontrollable curiosity and mama's need for sanity! so i filled up the bottom of this hurricane vase with the garland.

a nativity ornament that is usually on our tree found a nice home on this decorative jar on a bookcase in the living room.

our bitty 18 inch tree. it will find a new home in buggie's room or in the kitchen next Christmas.

our stockings hung over the television. i found the stocking holders a couple years ago at the dollar store! i bought 4 of them with dreams of two little ones to fill the others one day. i was so happy to hang buggie's stocking on one of those hooks!

my favorite Christmas decoration - my nativity. i just love this! the crosses hang here year round. i thought the imagery of the Baby Jesus under the cross was pretty touching and a great reminder of why Jesus was born in the first place. this picture does not do this justice!

thank you for stopping by my place! after your visit to my home jump over to the nesting place and take a look around some really lovely decorated homes that often cause me to be envious, but in a nice Christlike way (is that possible? ha!)!