December 1st became a Saturday… In our hearts that day is ours. Because for the past 8 years we’ve designed it to be personal. It’s just our little tree getting tradition that I always look forward to. Nothing fancy, although at times we’ve tried to make it be. We turn the music on, pour egg nog, and get started…
We’ve had big trees before that fill a great room with wonder. We’ve impressed ourselves and maybe a few others. But this year we’re learning our place. We pick a small tree to fill our new moderate space.
But light it up we will! It will sparkle brighter than ever showing signs of grace, growth, and wonder! How do I know this, you ask? Because my heart is glowing brighter now more than ever.
And Jesus, is just getting started. And we wonder, what will He show us this season?
Because this year, I want a Christmas that nourishes me, remakes me, that revives my very soul. And I’ll only have that if Jesus and I set the stage together.
This Christmas, I want to hear Jesus Christ whisper. And I want to be changed from the inside out again. And as I hang sparkling balls of glitter, and wrap lights around fragrant green needles, I want to feel the light of His love around me too. I want to be hugged by His warmth.
Jesus came as a baby, left as the man. He will come again as God Himself on some “Christmas day” part two, of His choosing…
Here, nothing is perfect except for Him. That’s why we keep inviting Him home again.
Here’s to God picking us up and dusting us off, friends… May He continue to prepare our hearts for His holiday. As we step into this new month, I pray we receive eyes of grace to accept Him fully into our daily living.
What’s your Christmas wish friend?
Love your Christmas wish! There is something different this year than any other Christmas I’ve ever had…maybe its that Abbie a little older and I am getting excited as she starts to understand, but mostly I think its my heart change in that I finally feel like I am pursuing God’s best for me with complete obedience. So my wish this year is that I keep on pursuing that the best way I know how. That I keep saying yes God as often as He asks me no matter how scary what He asks of me is!
Bridget, as I was reading down through your words my heart became more and more excited for you! Thank you for sharing girl. ~ Love out, Amy
I love it! I love your post and the season and the reason. I love that right now, I’m in a season of FEELING His presence (aren’t those always awesome?), even when nothing seems to be changing. Which helps me to know that things ARE changing, even when I don’t notice. My wish for the season is that we can all feel Him, the love, the grace, the hope, the peace…He is so.good.to.us. Love you Amy! Beautiful tree
Hey friend, you always bless me when you show up here. What an amazing gift to be “feeling” God, WOW! I’m so thankful I get to spend some of this season with you. ~ Love out, Amy
Hurray for scaled down Christmas! Beautiful tree, Amy, and even more beautiful focus: all eyes on Him. Oh for grace to trust Him more
I know right, Susan. This will actually be the second year that my whole family draws names as well. It makes things so much more doable and enjoyable for all involved! God is so good to us. And I’m thankful for meeting you this season sweet sister. ~ Blessings out, Amy
This is beautiful Amy,
And, I really love how you said, “Jesus, is just getting started.” This statement offers me hope and anticipation of what is yet to come.
Thank you for sharing with me today.
Much Love, Hester
ps. Lovely tree too!
I love you sister Hester! I guess we could say, “we haven’t seen nothin’ yet”! God is good. ~ Love ya, Amy
Beautiful reflections once again. I think your tree is stunning sister! I wish for God to dust me off too. I think my wish would be for further contentment and rest in Him. Amy, you are such a gift to me and I love you very much! Merry Christmas my dear friend
Don’t we all need to be dusted off from time to time, sweet Tracy. I love you back. I’m so thankful. ~ Love out, Amy
Love the pictures, Amy! You’re really getting good and developing an eye for photography! I love you and your tree looks amazing!
Thank you Laura! I wish we lived closer but you’re here in my heart sister.
I can’t think of a more perfect wish–so I won’t even waste my time trying.
Love your heart, girl.
I wanna hear Him whisper, too…
Big ol’ hug to you!
You’re too cute Nikki. Thank you for sharing your sweetness here girl. I appreciate you so. ~ Love out, Amy
I love you, precious granddaughter. Your thoughts warm my heart, and so do you.
Thank you Grandma. Seeing you here made my morning.
~ Love you, Amy
Amy, I really think you’d enjoy Bonhoeffer’s “God is in the Manger.” It’s free this month on Christianaudio.com. Peter and I have been listening to it each morning on the way to work (they are only about 3 minutes, so if we want to listen to them again, we can!). I’m loving it!
I’ll download it Kristie, thanks! Merry almost Christmas cousin… ~ Love out, Amy
Hi Amy,
Smiles to you. We haven’t gotten our tree yet but I look forward to doing that any day here. At I type, huge heavy snow blankets my yard, with inches more to come. Our Artist God at work…
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
God should be blowing some of that special white stuff our way soon… I’m looking forward to it! Thanks for sharing girl… ~ Love out, Amy
Love it! Thank you for sharing this shining piece about your hopes for Christmas this year. I, too, want to hear Jesus whisper more often.. I want to listen.. I want to obey.
Be blessed beyond. So happy I found your site. Merry Amazing Christmas! Jan
Thank you Jan! It’s so good to meet a new sister. Merry Christmas and may God bless you as you continue to seek Him. ~ Blessings out, Amy
What a Christ-centered wish, Amy…simply lovely
Nice to have met you over at Nikki’s place 
Hi Dolly!
It’s so lovely to “meet” you. I love your heart through words! ~ Blessings out, Amy