Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Enjoying the Season

This year I've really been enjoying the Christmas Season. Maybe I'm procrastinating, but I haven't been caught up in racing around everywhere this year, but have been taking the days slowly and enjoying them one at a time. God's grace is so sweet to me right now, and I'm enjoying quiet mornings sitting by the light of the Christmas tree in His Word. We rearranged our living room so that it would fit in there this year, and I'm so glad we did. I love the tree to be very well lit (I think I inherited this from my dad who inherited it from his dad -- those are some LIT UP trees). My tree has 100 lights per foot. This picture is taken with no other lights on in the room and no flash on the camera! It really only looks this bright when it's dark out, but I just love the soft warm glow in the morning.


I have a few gifts bought (but not wrapped), one batch of cookies made (and nearly all eaten), and have listened to hours of Christmas music. It has been great taking it a bit slower this year and just enjoying Christ and the season! Here are some links to a few really great posts by GirlTalk on planning your time during the Christmas season so you can focus on Christ. May Christ give you joy in your preparations!

7 comments:

sara said...

Love the tree!!!

Anonymous said...

Pretty! Hey, I hope you don't mind, I've used a lot of your decorations this year hee hee.. On one of the boxes it says...."Ornaments. Merry Christmas to the 2006 versions of ourselves. . .Josh and Gret January, 2006" .haha! :)

~Anna

jillybean said...

Gretchen, you can call me anytime of day or night. I would LOVE to talk to you! I never what kind of crazy party schedule you guys keep, otherwise I would call you. :)
Jillia

James and Christen said...

I am with you on the, "lights are what makes a tree," idea. My tree is a charlie brown tree, you know, branches all spread far apart and I have almost 300 lights on it. From the street it looks FAR bigger than it actually is because of the lights.

I too have been having devotions in the morning with the tree lighting the room. What a blessing. I am loving these quiet times of reflection on Christ and the miracle of His birth, life, death and resurrection.

Congrats on the slower paced days!

Love you - Christen

David and Sharon Taylor said...

Gretchen, your living room looks so cozy and I love your very bright tree. White lights are so much prettier than colored lights, in my opinion. I miss having a Christmas tree this year. We always had real trees in the States and we haven't bought an artificial one here in Brazil yet. I'm glad you're taking your time and thoroughly enjoying the Christmas season.

Love,
Sharon

Gretchen said...

Anna,

I don't care if you use whatever you want. Just don't forget which ones are mine. :) And don't let Rogue eat them or anything. Haha!

I'm guessing that note on the box is in Josh's handwriting, huh?

Anonymous said...

hey yeah I thought about that when I was moving some stuff around..."is this mine or hers?" hmm.. If I don't know, I'll just play it safe and keep it. hee hee

~Anna