Today would be my big brother Tim’s 59th birthday. This is one of my favorite pictures of us, taken sometime in late 70’s
In honor of Tim I will re-share this post…
Each Christmas as I unwrap the ornaments and decorations, years of memories flood my mind. I remember countless family and friends with whom I have shared Christmas. I lay out all the ornaments in color groups so I can see each one. Next I put the lights on the tree (even though the tree I have now is pre-lit, I add a bunch of colored lights). Then begins the several night process of putting the ornaments on the tree.
Admittedly there are times since my brother Tim died that I have fussed at him as I decorated the tree. The reason I fuss is because it wasn’t enough for Tim that I have a few lights and a few ornaments on the tree, HIS baby sister had to have the most spectacular tree of all!
My tree must be decorated so that from whatever angle and height you look you see ornaments. Looking all the way through and seeing the trunk is a HUGE no-no!
As you can imagine it takes a lot of ornaments … all kinds of ornaments. Fancy, handmade, expensive, cheap, old, new, pretty, not so pretty, big, little … you name it!! A tree just looks skimpy if I don’t decorate it the way big brother taught me!
As I put the last (well, maybe the last) ornament on the tree, I sat down and just soaked up the beauty of the lights and the ornaments while one of my favorite Christmas music boxes was playing “Joy to the World.” I began thinking of my life, God’s grace and mercy to me, and how the Lord has blessed me throughout the years.
I thought of the tree as representing my life. The white lights represent The Light of the World (Jesus) Who came to this earth to redeem me.
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
–I John 1:5
The colored lights represent all the experiences that have given depth and meaning to my life, some bright and cheerful, and others darker and more somber.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us … 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance … 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
-Romans 8:18, 25, 28
The ornaments represent the many different family and friends who have added color and dimension to my life through shared worship, laughter, fun, sorrow, encouragement and comfort.
But it was you, … My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.
-Psalm 55:13-14
On this day when I miss Tim so much, I thank the Lord for the blessings of all my family and friends and for the wonderful ways each one has enriched my life!!
And, thank you, dear friends, for helping make days such as this a little easier!
*All Scripture verses are taken from The New King James Version of the Holy Bible.
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