Unique Use for a Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree has many cherished functions during the holiday season.

The lights add a shimmering glow to the room,

matching the expectation of the celebration ahead.

Underneath the tree, presents chosen with love are nestled beneath

the pine scented boughs.

Ornaments rich with memories hang from the branches,

marking Christmases past,

but leaving room for future memories.

The scent, the sights, the feel of a Christmas tree

are deeply etched into our hearts and minds.

My kids added one more cherished function for our Christmas

tree this week.

They simply continue to amaze me.

Remind me to not ask the kids to

"quickly pick up the living room"

ever

during the season of the tree.

Remind me not to ask

when I'm not in the room and

don't specify

how

to pick up the living room.

My Amazing Grace decided each branch worked like a shelf.

The living room was very quickly picked up.

I walked in,  rolled my eyes,

grunted in a motherly fashion,

and demanded someone get a picture

while I went down to do yet another load of laundry.

Not sure what happened when I was in the basement,

but the pictures on the camera

told a story their lips didn't.

But, it musta' been funny.

See what a Mom misses when she's always working?

Many years ago, some dear friends of mine shared their

convictions on why they don't have a Christmas tree.

It was a pleasant conversation,

but all I remember is something about

 German soldiers hanging guts on a tree.

Maybe I wasn't listening very well.

Anyway, we made our decision to have a tree

based on American tradition,

not our faith. 

We understand the tree really doesn't have anything to do

with the Lord Jesus.

But we found a way to let our

love for the American traditions

and our love for the Lord Jesus

live together in our home.

And our dear friends don't know what they're missing.

Not only are they missing that wonderful pine scent,

their kids can't clean up the living room in less than 5 minutes.