Joy

For us, the Thanksgiving holiday came to a close on Monday at about 4:30 p.m. when we arrived home after the seven-hour drive from my parents' house; and, the Christmas holiday began at about 6:30 p.m. that same night when we began putting up our Christmas tree!

Putting up the tree is exciting in our house, not only because we are ushering in the Christmas season and reflecting on all that it stands for, but also because we get to reminisce as we do so.  You see, many of the ornaments on our Christmas tree are far more than mere decorations.  They are symbols of occasions that are very dear to our hearts.

This ornament always gets the most prominent place on our tree, for it symbolizes He whom Christmas is all about.  This cross was given to me by Travis' maternal grandmother early in Travis and my relationship and is among the most special of the ornaments on our tree.

Travis and I purchased this bridal Mickey and Minnie Mouse ornament while in Orlando, Florida, on our honeymoon, and it is quite possibly the most cherished ornament on our tree.

Travis' parents gave us this "Our 1st Christmas" ornament on our first Christmas as a married couple.  It becomes more special to us with each year that passes.

This ornament, picturing a 3-month old Abel, commemorates his first Christmas.  Even though the years are flying by, the wonderful memory of his babyhood is preserved here on our tree.

This ornament commemorates Amariah's first Christmas.  She is growing up quickly, but the sweet memory of our first baby girl is preserved here on our tree.

This "Home for Christmas" ornament was given to Travis and I by our church on the first Christmas following the loss of our baby, Ande Lynn, who went home to be with Jesus before we ever had the opportunity to meet him or her.  This is the one ornament on our tree that sparks much emotion in me--both the feeling of sadness and loss for the sweet baby whom we will always miss, and the feeling of joy and excitement at the reality that we, too, will one day be "Home" where Ande is already.

Travis and I purchased this ornament in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a souvenir of our first (and, so far, only) family vacation; and we look forward to doing the same with any future family vacations.

This ornament commemorates Isabel's first Christmas.  She is growing up quickly, but the treasured memory of her fleeting babyhood is preserved here on our tree.

This ornament commemorates Elliana's first Christmas.  She is growing up quickly, but the treasured memory of her fleeting babyhood is preserved here on our tree.

Christmas is a time when hearts are filled with joy like no other time of the year.  What better place to remember and celebrate the many joys in our lives than here at the tree where we remember and celebrate our ultimate joy--the birth of Jesus our Savior.

Tweet