How to Hide Away from the Bustle this Christmas
.JPG)
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG)
.JPG)
A creamy winter moon sits high as I crunch across the lawn. Crimson grapefruit dried and sliced in thin orbs dangle from a blue spruce tree out front, natural ornaments in a recent experiment.Two tiny clementines and an off-white apple hang in dehydrated slivers beside miniature pine cones. The setting sun slants tangerine across the road and into my snow-capped yard. A passing car honks and comments as I photograph the tree.
Indoors, we relax in simultaneous projects. Christmas lights sparkle, as Morgan bends down to adjust the timer settings on the tree. “My cheeks are still numb from the paper route,” she laughs, massaging her face into caricatures.
A stack of Christmas letters that need to be finished rests beside marching elephants and an extravagant blooming orchid. My daughter grabs the camera and captures beauty and nostalgia.
Over family games last night and savored cups of eggnog, we pause, plan simple special meals, and see Christmas through the eyes of our children. School is put aside for a few weeks, outside events are kept to a minimum, and I love this opportunity to sprawl on the floor beside my youngest, teaching him the amazing true story of Christmas. His folded paper nativity figures fall over, or are joined by Legos, as we walk out the tale.
The late afternoon suns burns low, my Christmas jazz finishes its song, as my man and I cuddle up for a romantic movie on the couch.
I remember the words from paper-thin pages earlier this week about “Emmanuel, God with us.” God with us in our marriages, in our family conversations, in our mealtimes, with us on our errands, and settling deep into our homes. Emmanuel, God with us.
Merry Christmas, friend! What are you savoring this weekend?
Amen!
Beautifully put….and the more one does this the more one graves the simplicity of the greatest birth.
I'm savoring finishing off a few handmade gifts… the sparkle of tree lights reflected in the window… some last minute creative ideas to festive up my contributions to a Christmas gathering. And most of all, treasuring Him and the gift to be able to write of His heart, hopefully lift others to Him, even as we all do here… Blessings to you and your family Jennifer! Love your grapefruit idea…
🙂 Wonderful!
Hoping that you and your family are blessed with a peaceful Christmas!
Jennifer I am savoring my grandchildren this day. You write with such discription I felt like I was there to see all you describe. Merry Christmas my courageous wise hearted sister.
I am savoring all my children being home under one roof. That is the only thing I want for Christmas!I praise God for these 3 precious gifts and the gift of eternal life through the blood of His Son! Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas to you! Here, in our home, we are enjoying pajama days, snow drifts, and board games. Beautiful post!
Angelonwheels,
How fun to hear from you! Happy new year.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Peggy,
"Engraving the simplicity of the greatest birth…" yes. Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Pam,
"And the gift of being able to write of his heart" — nice. 🙂 Yes!
Home-made gifts? I'm curious to hear more.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
AJ,
Thank you. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Betty,
Savoring grandchildren sounds delightful! Thanks for stopping by to say hello.
Happy new year,
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Jayne,
Nice to have you here. Savoring family and kids resonates strongly with me, friend. 🙂 Enjoy them.
Happy new year,
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Kara,
Pajama days, snow drifts and family games sounds wonderful! We like to do that too. In fact, we're heading into some more games shortly.
Thanks for popping in.
Savoring family too,
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Beautiful! ~ Blessings, Amy