Sunday Sentiments

 

We decorated for Christmas this weekend. (In full disclosure, we’re not quite done. But close!) The debate is hot, I know, about decorating before Thanksgiving.

            I used to feel the need to apologize for decorating early, but I don’t anymore. For one thing, with our anniversary in the early December mix, decorating early helps me have a measure of sanity later, and I can’t turn my back on that. Even if we didn’t have an anniversary coming up, sitting in the soft glow of the lights brings a calmness and joy to my soul, and I won’t apologize for making space for that. It doesn’t mean you have decorate yet if you’re not ready, but it’s okay that we have!

            Our beloved “Names of Jesus” tree wasn’t in our house last year. I lent it to a fundraiser – just for voting, not for donating – and I missed having it in our home. It was the first tree I put up this year, and it brought me such joy to read over the many names of Jesus as I worked. It sits in our dining room and will be the tree that keeps me company throughout my upcoming work days. I’m so happy about that!

            We haven’t put the ornaments on our family trees, but they’re up with lights and ribbon, and I’m savoring their beauty on this dark evening as I write to you.

            Because this was our set-apart decorating weekend, we had some time to ourselves, and we savored that, too. Yesterday, though chilly, was a gorgeous day, and we were able to take a long walk together. We worked in tandem on the decorations, and we had some great conversations.

            The slowing down, the savoring – they matter. We need them. In all the busy pieces of everyday life (made busier by the holidays), we need to slow and savor.

            Maybe, for you, that looks like soft Christmas lights. Maybe it looks like slow Saturday mornings. Maybe it looks like reading a book or baking something special.

            Make time to savor. You will be so glad you did.