Let's Reflect God’s Light at Christmas

I love decorating for Christmas, especially decorating our trees. Of course lots of Hallmark ornaments grace the branches, but other ornaments are bought on vacation or are handmade keepsakes that inspire a walk down memory lane. I'm guessing your ornaments do the same.

Tuna can Christmas diorama, a brownie activity

The tree downstairs is decorated with felt ornaments I stitched and stuffed, along with several Santas my father carved and painted. My mother quilted the tree skirt. The most precious ornaments on the tree are those made by our children, now with children of their own. Anyone else still hanging a tuna can diorama, a plaster clown, or an angel with a pleated paper skirt and Styrofoam head? I’ll admit I don’t hang these ornaments front and center, but they’re there and immediately zip me back to the days when I was young with small children. I remember the joy in their eyes, their sweet voices as they sang Christmas carols each night, their hugs. 

One of my mom's handmade ornaments

Our great room tree is tall and decked in silver, blue, brass and rose, dripping glass icicles and birds. The sentimental favorites are the ornaments my mother fashioned from Styrofoam, velvet and beads in the 70s. Then there’s the glass ornament purchased the year our first child was born with a miniature Mary and Joseph watching over baby Jesus. Another orb holds pink sand from an anniversary trip to Bermuda. The tree is fancy but personal, too.  

I want to be a Shiny Brite this Christmas

The kitchen tree is skinny, sparse, decorated with my hand-painted gourd ornaments, ropes of beads resembling strung cranberries and miniature jingle bells with a few Shiny Brite ornaments that have seen better days, yet still shine.

Our trees are very different but have three things in common: Strings of lights, star tree toppers and glass balls.

I got to thinking about those glass balls. They’re different sizes and shapes but basically they’re simple, plain, the mainstay of our trees. Even without all the other ornaments, the glass balls would still make the trees beautiful as they glow with reflected light.

I like to think our purpose is much the same. We’re to reflect God’s light in this world, to shine for Him in such a way that we will attract others to the Savior lying in the manger.

If dropped, glass balls can smash to smithereens. Sometimes that's how we feel preparing for Christmas. If we're stressed, we can hide our reflected light

This woman is stressed.

under the proverbial bushel like some people at Christmas with down-turned mouths and flinty eyes snapping at clerks or gesturing at drivers in traffic. The birth of God’s Son shouldn’t produce that kind of fruit. But upon occasion the best of us can lose our cool. Even if we don't react, inside we're fuming, tense and tired. Add in writing deadlines, either publisher or self-imposed, and something has to give. How can we simplify so we’re able to shine for God this Christmas?

Remember Christmas is a celebration, not a competition. Ease up on yourself. Let go of perfectionism. In contrast to the glory of Heaven, Jesus was born in a stable. I love the beauty in that simple, ordinary setting.     

Think outside the box: Homemade is not one of the Ten Commandments. If cooking and baking isn’t your thing or you don’t have time this year, buy what you need. My mom worked till three on Christmas Eve. Instead of preparing an elaborate meal for the extended family gathering at our house, the night before she made spaghetti sauce. Spaghetti is the tradition in our family and we love it. Your creative choice may just become a family tradition you'll cherish. 

Pare down: If you’ve got too much to do, think about cutting something down or out. Trim your card list or opt for eCards. Instead of exchanging gifts at work or with extended family, suggest donating to charity. Spending money we can’t afford on those with more than enough is a surefire way to add stress to our lives, especially when the bills arrive in January. Some limit the number of gifts to three, what the Wise men gave Baby Jesus. Another reason to call them wise. I cringe when I remember all the loot under the tree for our first grandchild. Took us a while to realize starting a college fund was smarter.  

Delegate: Some of us may not want to give up a single tradition. But that doesn't mean we can't ask for help. Trade services like babysitting, carpooling. Ask guests to bring a dish. Require family members to pitch in. Sometimes the busier we are, the less we ask of our family because we're too tired or busy to show them how and see that jobs get done. Think of it as a long-term investment in easing your load and the best way to build kids' self-esteem.   

Start early: Stress increases as the days till Christmas dwindle. I'm amazed at the number of houses in our neighborhood that are decorated inside and out before Thanksgiving. If that makes life easier, why not? If you like to send a photo card, look at family pictures for possibilities as you take them. Keep a list of what you need in your purse, things like stamps, baking supplies, paper products, candles, etc. and buy whenever you see them.     

Take care of you: Get your sleep, eat well, exercise. You'll function better and hopefully stay healthy during cold and flu season. Spend time with God. If you fail in these or other areas, don't beat yourself up. New Year's Resolutions follow Christmas for a reason. LOL 

Get in the mood: If you're feeling like Scrooge, listen to Christmas music. Burn a candle. Light a fire in the fireplace or better yet, under your family if they aren't lining up to help you. Simmer cinnamon sticks on the stove. Attend a concert. Do something for those less fortunate or forgotten. Set aside time to make memories with your family. Make a cup of tea and read a Christmas novella. How's that for a shameless plug? 

These are just a few thoughts I had to help us shine this Christmas. I'm sure there's countless other suggestions.  

How do you handle stress so you can reflect God's light? 

I brought an assortment of store bought muffins and fresh brewed tea and coffee. Leave a comment for a chance to win one of three eBook copies of Home for Christmas I'm giving away and enjoy Ruthy, Pam and Julie's novellas along with my story “A Daddy for Christmas.”  

"A Daddy for Christmas"

When Rafe Rafferty discovers he’s a father, he returns to Bountiful, Indiana, to marry the mother, only to learn she died after childbirth and her sister Tess is raising his child. Rafe falls head over heels for his daughter and for Tess Russo, a woman who doesn’t trust easily. Especially the man she thinks abandoned her sister. Can Rafe prove he’s worthy and conquer the protective walls Tess has built around her heart?

The Bounty Hunter's Redemption is releasing January 5, 2016! 

Staking his claim

Recently widowed Carly Richards is shocked when a bounty hunter declares her seamstress shop belongs to his sister. But Nate Sergeant has proof—the deed her lawless husband gambled away without her knowledge. Now Carly must fight for her home and her son’s future. And until a judge arrives to settle ownership, she’s not budging…despite Nate’s surprisingly kind demeanor—and dashing good looks.

Nate’s faced the meanest outlaws in the land—but this petite, strong-willed seamstress may be his greatest challenge. He owes his sister his life, so he’s determined she’ll have the property that’s legally hers. But as Nate and Carly battle for ownership, Nate realizes there’s something he overlooked—the hope of building a family with Carly and her adorable son.