Living in a small town is such a blessing and I love attending a small country church. This is the same church you have heard me talk about and shared how these praying, loving folks have carried me through since the death of my husband almost four years ago. I would not change where I live at all.

We had transplanted from the city in another state and wanted to be near a slower lifestyle with accessible fishing and hunting places as well as being near the mountains. I had a successful decorating and accessory business for 15 years.

One day in the fall there was a call for all hands-on deck to decorate the church for Christmas. Supper would be provided and to say I was excited is an understatement. I arrived on Wednesday night full of anticipation and glee, ready to share my expertise. The tree was huge and in four sections. It was brought into the sanctuary by men with tall ladders. The poor tree had been crammed into the box for a year and looked none worse for the wear. Then some parts lit and some parts didn’t. They proceeded to get the lights working and put a big gold star on top and smiled at their feat.

Many times I use the word aghast when any other word would not be sufficient, this was one of those times. For those of you that want to save the forest and your budget , and own permanent trees, you know each limb must be revived yearly to create a look similar to the real deal. I call this fluffing and you can the imagine the hee-haws I received at that term. Otherwise skipping this effort makes it looks like the tractor ran over it and backed up to make sure it got it. I tried my best to make it look ok, however at 5’8″ on a 12 foot tree, I could only do so much and fluff so high. I went home defeated and planned on next year being different.

I bought, on clearance, gold and silver bulbs and reels of ribbon in silver and gold. I spent hours making and primping bows and the glitter was everywhere.

Decoration time came and away we went to church to beautify the Christmas decor. I was prepared this time and we got it done and it looked lovely. Pride beset me and back home we went. Sunday morning I looked at the tree and in several places someone had hung red ornaments. I could not believe my eyes. I said to the Elder,kind as I could muster, to get those out of place things off the tree.

You can see how pride takes over our thoughts and behavior so quickly. You know there is no “I” in God. In the community of believers, we are a team. not a solitary heart. We are of one mind and purpose and that goal is to glorify Christ our Savior. Loving one another and working together is a vital element. Our personal idea of perfection must include everyone. The gospel has no self interest. The nativity story is about God’s plan for His people, His community, His children.

We self-serving humans have turned their circumstances of being in a not so lovely setting and renovated the stable and manger into a mansion in suburbia. We must not forget that barns and stables include manure and stench. The world has cleaned it up to tidy order and wrapped a sweet shawl around our Lord. God sent his only Son to be in this world and then be crucified so we will have mansions for eternity.

The red ornament on the tree showed up this year as a red bell. I’m not sure whose does it, but I take it as an offering of Godly humor for me. The Elder I mentioned. moved this year and I miss him terribly. That ornament is a sign of being loved and being a part of the family of God. You see the tree has nothing to do with the nativity except for the one that was shaped like a cross. sosusannsaid

I pray you are enjoying this season and preparing extra room for Jesus in your heart in the coming year. I am wishing you will find a place to serve and help those who are in the first months of sorrow, the home bound, widows and others. We humans are very needy and a hand-up to another is a thing of love. Get into the habit of reading scripture every day and find out how much you are loved…it is an everlasting love.

We love because he first loved us. John 1:1