Keeping it Little: How do you have a merry little Christmas?

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

—Matthew 1:23

I’ve been creating themed Christmas cards with my family for 18 years now. It’s one of my holiday traditions. For my most recent cards, I’ve included my grandchildren. But now that they are spread across the country, with some in Pennsylvania and others in Texas, getting a photo with all of them in it at the same time is challenging. Creating a photo collage seems to be the best option. But now that the number of my grandchildren is growing, with one added to the total in March with the birth of Sebastian, finding a collage template with photo spots to match that number is also challenging. I was delighted when I eventually found one suitable for my card and quickly went to work placing my photos on the palette. As I surveyed my work, I noticed a little word in the middle of the pre-printed Merry Christmas greeting. Little. Yes, that’s it. “Merry Little Christmas.” I smiled as it seemed to perfectly match my card with all my littles. But it also gave me pause. How do we have a merry little Christmas?

Cut It Out: How can we walk out God’s good plans when our foot is caught in a web of destruction?

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

—John 15:1-2

“Oh, no!” I gasped when I caught sight of my beloved lilac bush covered with webs. “The webworms are taking over,” I groaned. Already they had consumed my black walnut tree and another at the edge of the pasture. Why did they have to choose my lilac to chew on next?

Lilacs are special to me, a sweet reminder of my loving grandmother, who shared my childhood home. Her lilac bush graced the corner of our screened back porch and bloomed just once a year, in April, her birth month. I can still see the lavender-colored cuttings arranged in a Mason jar in the center of the kitchen table. The fragrant aroma filled the room like the presence of Grandmama's gentle spirit.

Now the insects had draped their deadly cloaks over my lilac bush, covering it from top to bottom, killing every green leaf and causing sadness to drape over me at the mere thought of my lilac never returning.

Was there anything I could do? The niggling thought plagued me each time I rounded the corner of my house. Nah, it’s hopeless, I returned.

Paced for the Weekend: How are you moving?

O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people.

When they are tired, you sustain them.

—Psalm 68:9

It’s one of those mornings when I walk around with marshmallow feet. I dare not make a sound that would disturb the love-tones, lulling my spirit. The rhythm of rain, splashing on broad leaves of canna lilies. Hummingbirds, humming in key. And the hushed whisper of God, telling me I am right where I’m supposed to be. The quiet answer to prayer.

It had been a hard week, one that started with sickness and ended with exhaustion, as I pressed through to order my classroom for the start of school. And then I wondered how I should spend the three-day weekend. Travel to be with family to celebrate birthdays and the last official hurrah of summer? I deserved that, didn’t I? I missed my family. But I would have to contend with busy holiday weekend traffic and the expense. Or should I stay home to rest and prepare for the upcoming week and save money in so doing?

As a Man Thinketh...What are you thinking of Today?

Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.

—Philippians 4:8

Every time I go outside and look at the zinnias beside the house, my eyes go straight to the dirty siding instead.

When I look at those that line my sidewalk, my eyes go to the dead leaves that flank the bottom of the flowers. It is not a pleasing sight. 

However, when I sit at my kitchen table with my window open wide, the sight of those same flowers, their faces looking up at me, takes my breath away. 

The difference is in my perspective.

Our view on life, or even ourselves, can be much the same way. We can focus on the negative and miss the beauty before us, or we can zoom in on the good things and be awed by how blessed we truly are.