Decorating with joy

This week I decorated my home for Christmas as much as I do these days. I have a friend who inherited her family home and her family decorations. She is the recipient of new additions regularly and decorates her entire home every year. It is a delight to visit her during the holidays – reminders of the season and the birth of the Son of God are found at every turn.

I have pared down what I put out, mostly to include reminders of sweet relationships or memories. The wreath on my front door is a gift from a dear friend years ago. She was a very good crafter and delighted in making beautiful things and sharing them with those she loved. The wreath is a combination of green yarn over a metal wreath and large red wooden beads as ornaments. The yarn is fluffed out on the edges making a unique door hanging. I added a red and white bow. I smile and think of my friend each time I see it.

Next is my quilted wall hanging made by my mother. She went through a season of learning to quilt, I think to embrace and remember the gift my grandmother had in making quilt tops. It is shaped like a tree, in triangles of white, green and red fabrics and ornamented with green ribbons and tiny silver jingle bells at each triangle corner. I have used it as my only tree in darker days. Like my wreath, I smile when I see it, remembering the year Mother wrapped it as a gift. We shared delight in my grandmother’s quilting and this is a reminder of my family and years of celebration and love.

I discovered rosemary trees years ago. They are topiaries formed from pruned rosemary plants – now available in many stores. Costco had some unexpectedly and a new one came home with me on a recent visit. I have collected tiny strings of ornaments and even more tiny hanging pieces over the years. A miniature three-dimensional snowflake serves as a star on the top and my mother’s favorite Brutus Buckeye ornament hangs proudly in a place of prominence. It sits on my island under a hanging light. It seems to be doing well with a weekly soaking and long days of light. This one may even last to be put outside to grow when the weather warms. It’s not the “giant sequoia” I used to want for my home, but its sweet fragrance rivals pine to my nose.

This year of pruning has me ready for the new life God has in store for me. I am excited about new opportunities, new writing endeavors, and new relationships. The best is yet to come.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all.

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