Memories on the Christmas Tree

Today we put up our Christmas tree.  Last year in the after-Christmas sales, I bought new strings of lights, so there were no frustrations with non-functioning bulbs, and a real Christmas tree skirt to put under the tree.  So the tree is up, fully lit, strung with a garland of looping gold beads, burgundy and green plaid ribbon rippling down from the crimped bow on the top, and ornaments.  These ornaments provide special memories of the richness of God's blessings in our life. 

Flat gold-plated ornaments from family travels bring memories of where we have been on vacations or our kids have traveled.  Jennifer's adventure to the Statue of Liberty, a family vacation at Mount Rushmore, and Dan and Becky's tour of Parker Ranch in Hawaii.   We picked up an ornament at the top of Pike's Peak after Jennifer hiked to the top and an one from our trip through the Colorado mountains from Quray.  Ornaments of The Liberty Bell from Philadelphia and Old Ironsides from Boston from trip of mine to present at a conference and Jennifer's trip with friends.  Others commemorate Jennifer's European trips such as the Neuenschwanstein Castle.

Angels provide fitting ornaments to celebrate Jesus' birth.   A crocheted lace angel, from a friend, glass angel heralding Christ's birth, a wooden angel, a whimsical angel, one with "Peace on Earth" from Kansas City while at the National FFA convention.  Crosses from family members remind us of Christ's sacrifice.  A Celtic cross from Ireland, a Jerusalem Cross made of olive wood from Israel.

Irish ornaments acknowledge the family heritage with Irish blessings scripted on the sides.  Ranch ornaments such as boots and barns  provide a more rustic reminder of daily life.  A Christmas tree ornament trimmed with sewing notions reminds me of teaching a niece to sew in the summers. Ornaments from former students bring memories of days in the classroom teaching.

Handmade ornaments tell stories of their own. Candy Canes and bells woven with stalks of wheat from friends in Kansas during our time there in vet practice.  Needlepoint scenes framed in gold from talented friends.  A folded ribbon pine cone, calico hearts trimmed with lace, satin balls topped with crocheted lace, bead candy canes and wreaths are all labors of love from friends and family members. A stained glass poinsettia, or bells from a missionary who stayed with us. Hand painted ornaments of little bears sledding and  one with bears riding a rocking horse painted by a friend of my mother's with the children's names painted on them.  Ornaments from the kids first Christmas with their names and dates.

A few ornaments are ones that have caught my eye while shopping at Christmas craft sales or in stores.  A small wooden church, a tiny straw hat decorated with ribbon and fruit, a crocheted snowflake.  Shopping with Jennifer at Crate and Barrel resulted in a beaded snowflake and a gold loop wire Christmas tree.  A chunky pine cone held by a little bear or a half walnut shell cradling a tiny baby Jesus. 

The tree glows with warmth and memories of special times, special friends and memorable events. so many gifts from the God of the Universe who sent his Son and the eternal gift of salvation.