Dec
1
2020
The Posture Of Advent
We decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.
It is one of my favorite days.
To see the house transformed in a matter of hours, brings me so much joy.
It is a large undertaking, but well worth the effort.
There are usually many willing hands to help.
Even as adults, when any of my children are here on that day, they do the jobs they used to do.
As we decorated, they each had their job when they were young.
They do those same jobs, without prompting, even though they now have homes of their own.
My younger son sets up the manger that was my nativity set as a girl.
This has always been his job.
I never knew how he would set it up each year.
Always set up a bit different and always creative, it warmed my heart to see his touch.
I watched him set up each piece with his wife beside him.
He carefully unwrapped each figure.
He still smiles when he finds Baby Jesus.
Now he can show this manger scene to his own little girl.
My youngest daughter and daughter-in-love hung the thirteen stockings from the bridge railing.
Grouped by families, it is a testimony to God’s goodness.
I love placing the order for a new stocking whenever there is a new family member.
I heard deep discussions as to how the stockings will be placed as the family grows.
My eighteen-month-old granddaughter woke up from her nap as we finished.
I was anxious to see her reaction to all the Christmas things placed here and there.
She was especially fond of the small Jesse Tree that is tucked in the corner of the living room.
The Jesse Tree is a way to prepare your heart during the Advent season.
Every day an ornament is placed on the tree after reading a Bible story.
Each ornament has a picture that tells the story of Jesus’ family tree.
As you decorate the tree, you see how God prepared for Jesus’ birth.
The preparation took place over many generations.
My little granddaughter’s vocabulary is amazing.
She often has sweet times of talking that no one but she can understand.
However, the list of words she says clearly and correctly astounds me.
She loved to point to the pictures on the ornaments and say the word for each one.
She loved the Christmas books I put into a basket near the fireplace.
She loved to sit on the wooden toy chest that is near the kitchen.
She sat with her pile of books and “read” to her heart’s content.
We cuddled and watched, The Snowman.
She loved the animated movie, The Snowman.
There are no words, except for a few minutes of narration in the beginning.
Beautiful music and soft, muted drawings tell the story.
A little boy builds a snowman, which comes to life and takes him on a journey.
She was enthralled as I pointed out objects along the way.
When the Northern Lights were seen, the Snowman and the little boy celebrated.
The celebration included Snowmen from all around the world.
They danced and exuded merriment and joy.
It was then, my granddaughter got off my lap.
She got down and proceeded to join in the dancing.
I clapped along with the Snowmen while she danced.
In total abandon, she danced.
After the movie, my oldest daughter lifted her niece up to take her on a tour of the house.
She pointed to this decoration and that one.
They lingered at the Christmas tree, and she was fascinated with all the ornaments.
I watched them when they came back into the kitchen.
We have boughs of holly over each door.
Hanging from two strategic doorways, is a bit of mistletoe.
My granddaughter loved pointing to the berries.
I looked at her as my daughter held her niece in her arms.
My granddaughter reached up as far as she possibly could to try to touch the berries.
They were beyond her grasp, but she continued to reach.
I watched her reach her hands up towards the ornaments on the tree.
I watched her reach up when she wanted to be held.
I noticed that, in her amazement, my little granddaughter had the same posture.
She spent most of her time with her arms extended.
She spent most of her time looking up in wonder.
She spent most of her time reaching for something beyond her grasp.
We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven. (Lamentations 3:41)
Oh, how wonderful it would be if we had the same posture.
Arms extended.
Looking up in wonder.
Reaching for something beyond our grasp.
Isn’t that the posture of Advent?
Waiting.
Looking up; trying to see the first glimpse of the Christ child.
Reaching for Him, who is now beyond our grasp, but will not be beyond our grasp forever.
Advent is a time of wonder.
There is no better way to experience that wonder than through the innocence of a child.
Always looking up; always reaching with arms extended.
May we follow their example.
I’m always so blessed by your writings. I’ve never heard of The Jesse Tree. Can you post a photo?