By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
The first Christmas that Gerry and I celebrated together as a married couple we purchased a scanty artificial tree with a few strands of colored lights. Because we were eager to create new memories together, our sparse tree was assembled and decorated by the first week in November. Our family, friends, and neighbors thought we were crazy, but we definitely had plenty of time to bask in season.
Eighteen years and two artificial trees later, we decided to purchase a live tree for the first time. We had just moved into our newly built home and wanted to establish some new Christmas traditions. With a family room ceiling stretching two stories approximately eighteen feet high, we decided a twelve foot tree would help adequately fill the space.
And did it ever fill up the space!
The freshly cut spruce was so large it had to be delivered to our home on a large flatbed truck. Two burly guys carefully maneuvered the mammoth evergreen to its place in front of the window and removed the wire mesh.
Oh my! Apparently tall trees are also very wide trees.
After the branches settled, our first (and soon to be last!) live Christmas tree consumed nearly two-thirds of the living space in our family room. That year “trimming the tree” took on a whole new meaning. We spent the next two hours trying to reduce the tree’s circumference to a more manageable size.
I love Christmas! It really is the most wonderful time of year. I enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of the season: peace on earth and good will towards men. However, I sometimes find myself feeling overwhelmed by the traditions surrounding the holiday. There’s so much to do: putting up the tree, decorating the house, sending out cards, hosting parties, baking cookies, scheduling festive activities, and shopping for presents. I sometimes wonder. Have we left room for the babe in a manger?
While it’s true our holiday traditions are meant to enhance the season, like our oversized Christmas tree, if we are not careful, our holiday traditions just might consume more space than we anticipated. Trim away any unnecessary activities this Christmas and enjoy the real reason for the season—Jesus.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20)
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
