The Angels Say

Hark! the herald angels sing. "Glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."
joyful, all ye nations , rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angels host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

I really love this song. I remember singing this at church and school in the 60's. Back then we sang many Christmas songs at school. It wasn't until I was older that I really listened to the words of this song. When I was young, I don't remember having a Nativity in our home. There was one at my grandparents house and we always saw the play at church. My hubby and I bought a small Mexican clay Nativity in the early years of our marriage. Later my parents brought us a Nativity from Mexico when they visited there. about 10 years ago my parents gave each of their kids a beautiful Nativity and I added a manger. Over the years I have collected various Nativities because I wanted my kids to know that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus birth. There is a link below that will take you to my page on Nativities.

When I look at this graphic, I think about how Jesus is the light of the world. He should have the highest place in our hearts and lives. But many times this is not the case. So many other things can take His place. We have an angel that my aunt crocheted on the top of our tree. It reminds me that God sent his messengers to Mary and Joseph to prepare for Jesus birth. Angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Angels want us to keep the focus on Jesus because He is the reason for the season. This graphic has an angel placing a present under the tree. The best gift we will ever receive is accepting Jesus into our lives. God gave us the gift of Love.

Between the top of the tree with the angel and the bottom for presents are the ornaments. Hubby and I have been married 39 years and we have lots of ornaments.The year I got engaged and my last Christmas as a single woman, my parents gave us a box of special ornaments. A few years after we were married I started collecting Hallmark ornaments. We collected a few in the early years. But once we had a baby, our collection grew and most are Hallmarks. I have collected many Nativity ornaments over the years and ornaments that reflect the Reason for the Season. Last year I decorated a tree with my Jesus ornaments along with my angel ornaments.

Topping the Tree
From the Book Joy to the World
By Colleen L. Reese and Anita Corrine Donihue
Topping the Tree

Pastor Jensen stepped to the pulpit.
The congregation seemed distracted that morning.
He knew it came from Christmas excitement.
"Today I wish to speak of how holidays
can divide a family he announced.
He named a variety of things that cause stress and
arguments during what should be a blessed time of the year.

He walked to the living tree near the church platform.
The tree had no decorations except a shining start on the top.
Pastor Jensen proceeded to hang pictures cut from magazines
on the branches : a mother ; a father, a teen; a child;
a baby; grandparents; aunts; uncles, and cousins.

He paused and turned to his questioning congregation.
"Families, have a choice, to focus on the holidays
or on Jesus Christ.
I ask you to lift your gaze to the top of the tree."
He carefully hung a picture of Jesus in front of the star.
"Whether your tree has a star, angel, or light,
think of Christ as the head of your family and your holidays."

Pastor Jensen moved his arms into the shape of a triangle
with the tips of his fingers pointing upward,
then pointing to the picture of Jesus.
"the closer you draw to Christ," he said,
"the closer your family draws together."