Long before Thanksgiving this year, I decorated an ‘Autumn tree’ in our entryway. I have never had an Autumn tree before, but it seemed like a good way to welcome the holidays.
I ordered a selection of autumnal ornaments and decorated the tree with white lights and festive bows. In a season where the leaves were falling relentlessly and the temperatures were falling as well, the tree was a bright spot in the house. Yes, the days were growing shorter, and my little tree was lit earlier and earlier each evening.
Christmas is Coming Soon!
It seems a simple thing –
A tree lit with fairy lights…
And yet, it is a wondrous beacon
on a cold, dark night.
Outside, the wind is furious; the flames
in the fireplace leap and dance!
My little tree beckons me to be still.
It is a night to read beside the firelight…
I mark the pages with a red satin ribbon,
losing track of time.
Soon enough, it will be Christmas…
a ribbon of hope to wrap the world in love.
“Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles; notice them.” Ronald Dahl
Sometimes, the holidays are anything but calming. In the midst of it all, a small tree lit with glowing lights is welcoming indeed. It is a reminder to pause and reflect on the moment at hand.
I believe we find ‘Christmas’ in the quiet moments. It is in these moments that we are able to pray, to thank God for the gift of the baby Jesus in the manger, our Lord and Savior. It is in the quiet moments that we understand the language of love best…it is written upon our hearts.
My husband and I did some Christmas shopping in Williamsburg, and as darkness descended upon Duke of Gloucester Street, all the Christmas lights suddenly came on. It was a lovely moment, like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting.
Such a moment draws upon our childhood remembrances of family and friends gathered around the Christmas tree, a winter night aglow with twinkling lights and Christmas cheer.
In our hearts, that childhood spark remains. It is a spark that is brighter than all the little lights on our Christmas trees. It is a spark that ignites our souls to live our lives in the true spirit of love.
Christmas is an invitation to love those around us as Jesus has loved us. There is no greater invitation, and there is no greater source of joy.
There are many gifts to be found under the Christmas tree, but none compares to the love of God, our Heavenly Father, for His children. He gave His only son, that we might have life, and life eternal. Praise God! It is almost Christmas!
It is almost Christmas…
1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:8: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
I like the idea of an Autumn Tree. I never thought of it before. Merry Christmas to you and yours. In His Grip – Alan
I never thought of an Autumn tree until this year either! I had an Easter tree on the porch a few years back. The grandchildren loved it. (We decorated it with carrot ornaments, Easter eggs etc.) Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!
Linda, this is just delightful! An autumn tree. We keep a small one upstairs after Christmas, just for snowflakes and snowmen and cardinals, etc. May you and your family have a warm and wonderful Christmastime, Linda.
It has been fun having a little tree! I love your idea of a ‘snowflake’ tree after Christmas. It must be beautiful with the Cardinals and snow!!! I do keep some snowmen out after Christmastime. Wishing you a beautiful Christmas!
I like the decorations you have on your trees. That’s a lot of love gone to making those trees beautiful. But best of all for me would be the 2 red elves sitting peacefully near the tree – guess what, I have those two as well. Named them too – Joff and Jools!!
Our priest once told us that Advent is a time to prepare our gifts for the Lord to be brought and laid by His crib on Christmas Day. I hope I can gift Him with all He seeks of me! Wishing you a beautiful Christmas, Linda.
It sounds like you have a wonderful priest! It is good to reflect on what gifts we can bring to Jesus. I do know this…all of our gifts matter. I believe that whatever we give or do in the spirit of love is what counts. (I do like the little gnomes by the tree. I have not named them!) Wishing you blessings at Christmastime!
A beautiful tree and a lovely post, Linda. The autumnal decorations seem wintry, too, to me, and having light whenever, but especially as the nights grow longer seems like a wonderful thing to do.
Watching the lights come on in Williamsburg sounds magical!
Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful season of light as you celebrated Hanukkah! Much light shimmers in your poetry and I look forward to reading your poems on these wintry days ahead!!! I also look forward to your photographs which often highlight the beauty of nature…even in the dark of winter!
Thank you very much, Linda! Merry Christmas!
Beautiful all around. Have a Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.
Wishing you blessings on this eve before Christmas Eve! I hope you and all of your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you.
That little tree is so lovely! So are your thoughts, Linda. Thank you for this refreshing moment before we get on with our busy days!
Thank you! Wishing you a beautiful Christmas!!!