KEEPING CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART...

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.

-Roy L. Smith-Yesterday as I puttered around the studio, I listened to Christmas Carols hoping to capture a little bit of that spirit that seems to be waning in light of all the plans and preparations before the blessed celebration day arrives. A paper layette that I have been working on as part of a larger project caught my eye just as the these words hung in the air above my head, " Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, The Little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head..." He had nothing fancy fashioned for Him at birth, no special clothing, no preparation of pretty things, only a simple swaddling wrap.
The only decor for his nursery were the twinkling stars in the velvet night sky and the sweet smelling hay where he lay, " The stars in the bright sky, Looked down where He lay, The Little Lord Jesus, Asleep on the hay..." The message of keeping it simple began to permeate my heart. As much as I wanted to add to my list of things to make and decorate with this year, like these fantastic woven star tutorials (part 1 & part 2) by Amanda of House Revival, I knew I needed to reign myself in.The next verse of the song drifted through the air, " The cattle are lowing, The poor Baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, No crying He makes..." Christmas is not a time for complaining about what I need to get done or what I want to do but can't get to. The baby lay in a noisy stable just like I live in a noisy and clamoring world where attention can easily be drawn away from what is important. He did not complain about His circumstances but quietly and calmly took in what surrounded Him, the faces of his earthly mother and father, those He loved beyond measure. Imagine, a baby who knew where to place His priorities.My heart swelled as the next stanzas lifted themselves upward like a prayer, " I love Thee Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky, And stay by my side, Til (Christmas) morning is nigh. Be near me Lord Jesus (as I plan and prepare), I ask Thee to stay (reminding me of what is important about Christmas day), Close by me forever, And love me I pray. " This is the message I wanted to tuck away in my heart, that none of the trapping of tinsel, tree, or lights should ever dim the message of Christ's birth on that long ago night. Christmas is a season of love and gratitude for what I do have, faith, family, friends, and all the necessary fundamentals of food, clothing, and shelter to meet my daily needs.
Do I really need one more decoration? Yes, I do, I need a decoration of the heart that keeps me properly focused for the next 24 days as I am baking treats (favorite fudge and goodie recipes from the kitchen of Quill Cottage), wrapping gifts (gift wrap ideas), and trimming the tree (Christmas pasts decor at Quill Cottage 2009, 2008, 2007). On Christmas eve, as I fill the stockings (stocking tutorial by Thespa of Vintiquities Workshop) I can only hope that I have kept Christmas tucked away in my heart, its little messages of love reminding me of all my blessings. (Tuck Away Hearts by Peggy - these personalized messages of love would make great stocking stuffers!)My plan is not to give up on all the holiday festivities that I love, (more festive decor ideas here at Marie's Masion - these are a must see!) but to curb them back just a little, being slightly more selective in how I spend my time and energy, and above all to keep Christmas in my heart.

And my Christmas prayer for you, my dear blog friends, was sang sweetly in the last refrain, " Bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care..." make their Christmas' memorable, merry, and blessed beyond compare!

Christmas Blessings,
Sandy