SparkysGirl
Guild Creative Team
Registered: October 2009
Posts: 297
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Submitted for Digi Dare #304
Credits:
Credits:
Season Of Delight by Dee Bee Designs
Merry and Bright by Holly Ann Designs
Journal:
Birdie’s 1st Christmas was a
bit of a struggle. She was not quite 8 months old, and I was no longer working. I had decided that I needed to stay home and care for her. This left us in a difficult spot financially. We could make ends meet, but just barely, leaving no extra money for gifts or decorations. We got a little creative. A friend that worked with Bird’s dad offered to bring us a real Christmas tree. He claimed to always be able to find the perfect tree out in the woods. We arranged to have the tree delivered on a specific night, and I had both sets of grandparents over to help with the decorating. We waited and waited ... and finally much later than anticipated the tree arrived. It was AWFUL! The most ugly tree ever. You could see right through it, and the branches were so small and light that an ornament would not hang from any of them. I hid my reaction from the friend, because I did not want to hurt his feelings. After he left, we all sat in a bit of stunned silence ... a little awkward at first because I think each was wondering if the other noticed. I’m not sure who finally broke the ice, but we finally began talking about the ugly tree. I was disappointed that Bird’s 1st tree was not perfect. However, by the end of the night we were all laughing hysterically about it. After some thought I realized that the tree actually was a perfect symbol of how the year had been ... difficult. Yet, in the midst of the difficulty was great joy. My first child! She was always smiling, always joyful .... and to her, the tree was beautiful. It was a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. and despite the financial hardships, Christmas was still very merry! After all, when I think back on Christmas that year what I remember is the laughter and the joy. The real meaning of Christmas is not in the tree or the decorations, and it isn’t in the gifts we give each other. The true meaning is God’s gift to us. The offer of salvation and eternal life with Him. He loves us enough to give us the freedom to choose to accept His gift. It is the most precious gift I have ever received, and with it, I can see that joy can be found in every Christmas regardless of circumstance.
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