The Holiday Season is upon us and everyone is so busy getting ready. What to cook, what to buy, so much to do…so little time…so little money. Then you have the Christmas cards and gift wrapping…It is a literal battle to get everything accomplished!!!
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
If so, there is help…
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13
Last year the Christmas tree I had used for years bit the dust. It had been a great tree for many years bringing lots of smiles to our family. My precious friend read I would be throwing it out after using it for over 20 years. She immediately contacted me though Facebook to notify me I would be receiving a new tree after Christmas. Sure enough the week after Christmas my dear friend Rose Riggs appears on my door step with a huge box. My new Christmas tree had arrived!!!
This year I could hardly wait to put my tree up to see what it looked like. I was amazed at how easy the tree went up!!! Fold, fluff, and plug in…how easy is that? Trees sure have come a long way since the purchase of my last one! As is a tradition in our home the tree was decorated with stuffed animals, baby dolls, and ornaments made either made or gifted to me by family and friends.
As soon as the tree was up, pictures were posted on Facebook. Rose commented on how beautiful it was and would like to bring he brand new baby boy William to have his picture made in front of the tree. I was so touched she wanted to shoot pictures in front of my tree!
Last night William came to visit his Aunt Lee Lee…His mommy brings him in tucked into his carrier. Needless to say my babies had never seen a carrier with a tiny human in it… The were intrigued to say the least but it only took a couple of minute for them to bond. 
William is such a good baby! He allowed us to pose him in front of the tree and even seemed to enjoy being propped up against Maggie Mae. Last night I was reminded…Little ones are what make Christmas memories so very special. I so love my precious friend William and know God has big plans for this little one!
Rose, Thank you for sharing your precious package with me this Christmas!
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37
While standing in line at a checkout counter in a department store, I am reminded of times when people would have their shopping carts overflowing with merchandise and I would think to myself, “Wow, I wish I had that kind of money”…”Some people have all the luck”… or even “it is just not fair”.
Black Friday has come and gone and I am reminded of those who are less fortunate and are not able to express their affections by giving gifts. While Christmas is not just about gifts it is important to remember Gifts is one of The Five Love Languages as is Words of Affirmation, Acts of Kindness, Touch, or Quality Time.
So receiving gifts is very important to those whose love language is Gifts; even when we don’t have the finances to make purchases. But should the desire to make those purchases push us to the point of being envious of what someone else has? I think not…
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30
So rather than be envyous…You should get creative by thinking outside the box for that one of a kind gift that will forever remain a memory in the heart and mind of the person receiving the gift. The gift you put yourself into for that special someone.
When Richard and I were first married we had very little if any extra money. Any extra we did have, we used it to ensure our girls had a good Christmas. I however also felt it was necessary to give gifts to all the family members so I had to get really creative.
Necessity, who is the mother of invention. Plato
With that in mind, I remember the year I took a tuna fish can, washed it, painted it with a decorative motif , filled it with pillow stuffing, then covered it with a cross stitch design held in place by a pretty ribbon, and placed dress pins in it. That year…a pin cushion was all I had to give.
While Richard was attending seminary we were especially stretched financially. I remember gathering all the fabric remnants left over from the outfits I had made for the girls when they were little and used them to make a quilt for Brandi. It was the talk of the campus and each day the neighbor boys would come by to check on its progress. A lot of wonderful conversations took place during the making of that quilt. To this day she has that quilt displayed in her home.
As I have gotten older, I no longer feel an obligation to gift family and friends; now it is a choice. If I see something which reminds me of someone I will gift them with it or if we know of someone in need we pray about how we can help meet that need.
For years now our Christmas gift to our family and friends has been to open up our home; providing a place for everyone to come together to make memories that will last a lifetime.
For the 32 years Richard and I have been married we have never exchanged a Christmas gift. We couldn’t afford gifts when we were first married and today we choose not to gift each other because gifts are not our love language. He gives me a hug (touch is my love language) and I tell him what a wonderful man and husband he is (words of affirmation is his love language) and we are set!
So, this Christmas I encourage you to think about the following:
And, when you see people’s shopping carts full…
A Love Lee Place 