December 2 – “Decorating”

Well, the Christmas decorations are all down from the attic.  Thanks to Kel and Nathan and Micah and Jachin for getting them all hauled down.  We worked in shifts to get everything put up, and it was fun to see a child or two involved every step of the way.  I had a hand in getting the tree actually put together this time, assisted by Jachin and Cailyn and Micah.  I happily gave way to Nathan and April and Chris for stringing the lights, and they had plenty of help from Micah and Cailyn.  Cory even helped unroll some of the strands while Sarah helped herself to some supper.  Christina and Noa were supervising the whole process.  Well, I guess maybe Noa was doing her best to sleep through it. 

And then it was time for the ornaments.  Now, it did take us a while to convince three-year-old Josiah to even come inside.  He and his imaginary friend were spending time in the back yard with the three dogs.  That, by the way, was a sight to behold.  Josiah was the only human being out there as far as we could see, but he never stopped talking.  Sometimes it was clear that he was engaging the dogs, but there were many occasions when the dogs were on the opposite side of the yard and he still kept the running commentary going.  I was pretty certain that I heard him explaining his philosophy of life to an aphid. 

Once they were all inside, they gathered around Nana to get just the right one to hang on the tree.  Most of the ornaments we have tell a story of some key moment in our life.  Of course most of those have something to do with our kids. 

“This one is from the year the movie E.T. came out.” 
“This one DadDad carved after Hurricane Ike.” 
“This one was your Daddy’s.” 
“Here’s one that has your name on it.” 
“But where’s the one with my name on it?”  It took us a while to locate it, but we did find a few that were specifically Cailyn-related.
“Who wants to hang Uncle Josh?”  Wait.  That one sounds kind of funny.  Sorry, Uncle Josh.  But we wish you were here.

They actually did a great job this year.  Of course, all of the ornaments were on the front side of the tree.  And the highest one was just at that point where Jachin could reach if he stretched as far as he could.  It was beautiful.

Isaiah 30:29 says, “And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel.”

Father, thank you for the joy of a child as he experiences the mystery and excitement of getting ready for Christmas.  Amen.