Christmas Decor Tips from Toddlers

Do any of you currently have or remember having a Christmas tree that was heavily weighted with decorations on the bottom branches of the tree? Or maybe you had several branches with far too many decorations on a single sturdy branch? This was the way our tree looked for years when my four children were little, and while our tree may not have made it on any designer television shows or Hallmark movies, it was probably my favorite look. The tree was showered in the love of many little hands, excited to add some sparkle to its branches.

On a recent Facetime call with my grandson, I was thrilled to see my favorite tree design technique in action again as he proudly pointed to all the decorations on that same bottom third of the tree. So my tree currently stands tall, with only lights on, in anticipation of all the hands that will soon add the love and sparkle to it. They’re all grown hands now, except for that one little one, but the joy that comes from them when we’re together is just as strong.

So this week, as I continue to reflect and write on the love of God for this series of posts on "Falling into God's Love," I look at my tree, its branches ready to hold all those decorations, and the word that keeps coming to my mind is “Held.”

One of the repeated lines in my children’s book, Zeke Can’t Sleep, is “Hugs and kisses hold you tight.” That line is also the intended theme for this week’s reflection, and I’m so glad it is. If there’s any one reminder I’d like to start the Christmas season with it’s definitely the reminder that we are all held firmly and forever in God’s love, which is the intended meaning behind that line, “Hugs and kisses hold you tight.”

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Psalm 91:11-12 says, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands.”

Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.”

Deuteronomy 22:27 says, “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”

As I read the beginning of the book of Luke, which shares the story foretelling the birth of John the Baptist and then the foretelling of the birth of Jesus, I am reminded that these verses applied so perfectly to the lives of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary. After years of praying and waiting for a child, Zechariah and Elizabeth are finally told they will have a child that they are to name John. They didn’t expect a child at their age, but God had heard their prayer, and he knew when the time would be right for their prayer to finally be answered. The angel Gabriel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer.” (Luke 1:13)

When I hear these words, I feel like they’re the words we might need to hear also. When we’re praying and waiting, we can hear God say, “Don’t be afraid (place your name here)! God has heard your prayer.”

Again, looking at my tree, I think of the branches. I was reminded at church this past Sunday of Jeremiah 23:5, which says, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righeous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land."

This "Branch" is Jesus, who is always present with us. I look at the branches on my tree that have been and will be heavily weighted with decorations. I picture the times when a branch drooped so low with the weight of a decoration that I was sure it would fall, but it held on. Then there were the branches that were so strong and stable, thick and ready for the biggest and heaviest of decorations. These branches remind me of Jesus. He is strong, able, and willing to carry our burdens, our cares, our worries, so that we can feel his arms under us, giving us his strength and his peace, so we can hear him saying, “Don’t be afraid! I’ve heard your prayer.”

And similar but even better than an evergreen tree, branches always green, God’s love lasts always. Romans 8:38-39 is such a powerful reminder of that:

“And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor out worries about tomorrow –not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below –indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I hope those words can hold you up, not just now, but always. As you look on a Christmas tree, or at any decoration, let them be a reminder of God holding you up. Let that truth give you some peace that passes all understanding. Let it remind you that God hears, God sees, and God knows exactly what to do at exactly the right time. The promised "branch," Jesus, is alive with us. He is always present, like an evergreen is always green, and he loves you with a love that never dies.

Have a blessed week, HELD in God’s love.

A Few Journaling, Reflection, and Action Tips this week:

·         Copy the verses written in this post or any other verses that remind you of God’s love and care. You could draw a tree and write the verses on the branches, on a decoration, or anywhere, and reflect on these as you draw and pray.

·         Are you carrying a heavy burden or prayer? Pray about it as you hang a decoration on your tree, or hold any decoration and lift your cares to God. Know that he hears you and he holds you during the waiting.

·         Repeat the words “Held by God” whenever you need them. Write the word “Held” and journal your thoughts, prayers, and verses that remind you of this truth. Write the names of those you love on this page, praying for them and remembering that you and those you love are in God’s care.

·         As you fall asleep, maybe say “Hugs and kisses hold me tight” as a reminder that you’re held in God’s arms, or say to someone you love, “Hugs and kisses hold you tight” at any time of day to remind them how much they’re loved.