Lights On A Tree

Christmas brings me such joy. It's not the gifts however I enjoy giving. It's not the cold December weather for sure! It's not just the decorations although Christmas lights bring out my inner child. Christmas music is pretty great but sometimes I need silence. My joy comes from something so much bigger, it's that tiny baby boy born 2000 years ago. The story is old and yet still so relevant. Commercially Christmas has become something of glitz and glamour and too often about what we can get. Hmm... In some strange way maybe, that's just what God meant it to be. His son came to earth as the light of the world, there is no light that shines brighter. And the gift He gave us, well it is all about US. He gave us the gift of life, there is no greater gift.

On December 1st, my daily reading took me to Isaiah 9:6-7. This was the day I got excited about Christmas. I instantly grabbed my phone to find Handel's Messiah on YouTube. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Start at minute 35 to hear the passage I am talking about. 1:50:39 the Hallelujah Chorus begins ) Can't you just hear the choir singing those words with the symphony playing at full strength? I'm getting goosebumps right now!

Now back to my title, "Lights on a Tree!" The decorating has begun, below you will find a sample of what's going on at the Raabe household. 

My skinny tree

The big family tree

Love this Nativity

Our New Advent Calendar

Tree on the front porch

My old wreath that really needs some TLC

Here is Emma taking down the first envelop of the new Advent Calendar. It's very different from what we have done in the past. December 1 was not what they expected, a revamped cell phone contract. And I quote Emma, "this advent calendar sucks!" Ha I promise it has gotten better. I consider cell phones to be the gift that keeps on giving. We should all recognize the blessing and gift that they are. :)

Let me challenge you to seek the joy in December rather than allowing stress to weigh you down. you don't have to buy expensive gifts and you don't have to travel to every family member's celebration this Christmas. Keep it simple and remember Jesus is the one and true reason we celebrate Christmas. He knows your struggles and He loves just the same. Praise God for His love of all mankind!

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the gov't will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7