By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer
The parent of a young child told me last week that this year’s Christmas-tree decorating experience was the best ever.
Why? Because the parent discovered that the tree didn’t have to be perfect. At least not in anyone’s eyes but the child’s.
Ornaments were left where the youngster put them on the tree—completely unbalanced and all hanging about two feet from the floor. The parent took joy in the child taking joy.
It’s easy to lose one’s perspective of Christmas festivities. As adults, we want everything to look just right, sound just right, and taste just right. But what kind of memories are we making for our children?
Sometimes those memories aren’t so good, and many of us bigger kids deal with our own painful issues this time of year. However, we can stop the cycle.
Jesus once made an interesting comment to a group of adults complaining about what children were chanting about Him.
“Haven’t you read,” Jesus said, “‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matt.21:16 NKJV)
Imagine – the words of children reaching God’s idea of perfection. I’ll bet it had something to do with their hearts.
I wish I’d been more like Jesus during the holidays when my children were young. I was a little too concerned about how the Christmas village display looked, and I kept a pretty tight rein on its layout rather than letting young minds and hands arrange it the way they wanted.
Participation trumps perfection every time.
Life is messy and disorganized.
So are kids.
So are celebrations—especially Christmas.
Don’t let a crooked wreath, over-loaded tree branches, or misplaced dinnerware on the dining table spoil our children’s Christmas memories.
Instead, let the Celebrations begin! Full of imperfections—and praises—in all their childlike splendor.
Merry messy Christmas!
~
Participation trumps perfection! Share on X~
Christmas Eve dawned sparkling white with icicles adorning the eaves and crystals frosting the windowpane. Hope tugged the quilt up to her chin, tasting a hint of wood smoke in the crisp air. Someone had already built a fire, and with the giant spruce Jed had dragged home on the sled for the children to decorate, they were probably all downstairs at this early hour doing exactly that.
Frozen water filled her pitcher, so modest ablutions would have to wait for the sink on the covered porch. No doubt Connie had a kettle of water for just that purpose.
Last August, sitting alone in the Cedar Falls boarding house, Hope had wondered how she would handle her first Christmas without her niece Myra. She still bore the pain of grief and did not wish Myra’s memory gone, but the barb had softened in the cushion of her heart. She loved Myra as her own, yet how gracious of God to give her another little girl to share life with. At least for the time she remained at Hide Creek Ranch. There was no telling the future.
She finished dressing, donning every single petticoat she owned as well as her shawl, and then pulled her hair back in a long braid tied off with a string—less formal for this exciting day.
At the landing, her view of the great room filled her with awe.
“Miss Hope! Come help us!” Little Bert ran to the foot of the stairs as Hope descended, then grabbed her hand and led her to the magnificent tree.
A paper chain and popcorn draped the branches, and cookie cutters hung on red yarn. Tins cut in the shapes of stars bounced light from the fire around the room, and a colorful quilt circled the tree’s base.
“This has to be the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen,” Hope said.
The children agreed, each giving the reason their ornament was the best.
“It’s definitely the prettiest sight I’ve ever seen.” A deep voice behind her sent a thrilling ripple up her back, and she turned to see Jed’s eyes glowing with what looked like love. He adored his grandchildren, regardless of how he had first complained. ~A Thorn in Winter’s Grasp
Inspirational Western Romance – where the hero is heroic.
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*An earlier version of this post first appeared December 4, 2017.
Your book sounds like such a Beautiful read , and the cover has a gorgeous scene! Thank you so much for sharing the excerpt. And yes, little ones are so Proud of themselves when they do things on their own, we must always encourage little ones and let them know that they did a great job! I enjoyed reading this. Have a great week.
Thank you, Alicia.