I woke up this morning before my alarm went off at six. The house was dark. The children were sleeping. The kitchen clock was ticking. All was in order. As I entered the family room I paused. The beauty of what I saw caught my attention. I saw our Christmas tree lit the night before and glowing in the darkness. It was beautiful there in the corner of the room. A smile came to my face and happiness grew within me.
Next our Christmas tree's simplicity struck me. I realized how beautiful that also was and that surprised me. An old artificial tree that someone gave us replaced our usual fresh tree. It was decorated with old christmas bulbs we had also found along the way. The children's ornaments made at school and church over the years hung next to those. The lights were inexpensive and all white. The few presents that we had bought or made were casually wrapped and laying under the tree. Since there were only a few of them, we had spread them out in the front, just some small trinkets of our love for each child and from them to us. The stockings were hung but they were thin. As I looked I noticed that this was no ordinary Christmas for us. We are low on money like so many others during this depression, at least I call it a depression, and our budget is tighter than normal.
Next our Christmas tree's simplicity struck me. I realized how beautiful that also was and that surprised me. An old artificial tree that someone gave us replaced our usual fresh tree. It was decorated with old christmas bulbs we had also found along the way. The children's ornaments made at school and church over the years hung next to those. The lights were inexpensive and all white. The few presents that we had bought or made were casually wrapped and laying under the tree. Since there were only a few of them, we had spread them out in the front, just some small trinkets of our love for each child and from them to us. The stockings were hung but they were thin. As I looked I noticed that this was no ordinary Christmas for us. We are low on money like so many others during this depression, at least I call it a depression, and our budget is tighter than normal.
Yet, I learned a wonderful thing. The beauty of simplicity. Joy came to my heart as I stood there watching the sight before me: the glow of lights, the tree, the gifts below. I felt peace and calmness flood my soul. I wondered if the children would feel the same way. As I looked at that beautiful scene before me I desired for them what I had been blessed with this Christmas season, this Christmas morning ~ Peace.
May God bless you all as He has us this year. May He keep you ever in His Hands. Merry Christmas!
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