Hi there!
It’s Julie, by the way.
Are you ready for the final part of our Christmas series? It’s been so fun 🙂
Part One, Wednesday, December 13: Caroline, Collection Post {Check!}
Part Two, Saturday, December 16 : Clara, Craft Post {Check!}
Part Three, Tuesday, December 19: Grace, Recipe Post {Check!}
Part Four, Friday, December 22: Julie, Photostory Post
Today I get to share something I love about Christmas… decorating!
Um… yes… there is indeed only 3 days until Christmas and we haven’t decorated… :O
Oh… and just yesterday the house was a huge disaster…
But now it is much better! And today we can actually decorate!!
Let’s go! *looks around* Clara! Caroline! Grace! Come on out! It’s time to decorate for Christmas!
Clara: Ooh! Yay!!
Grace: Yes! I’m coming!
Caroline: Sounds great! Though, we’re starting a bit late, don’t you think?
Julie: Better late than never. Alright, then! Caroline and I will prep the tree. Grace and Clara, you can–”
Grace: May we work on the gingerbread house?
Clara: Oh yes! Yes!
Julie: That would be fine! Ok, Caroline! I’ll start fluffing up the tree.
Caroline: I’ll go dig out the tree skirt.
Julie: Um, Caroline?
Caroline: What?
Julie: We don’t actually have a tree skirt.
*Shocked look* Caroline: Oh. Well, I guess… I’ll have to find something… or make something.
Julie: You know there’s only three days until Christmas…
Caroline: It will be easy… I think. Give me a minute.
I just shrugged and began to hang lights on the tree. Soon I heard Clara exclaim from the kitchen.
Clara: WE FINISHED!
Grace: Yeah…
Julie: Oh good, you can– oh! It’s, um, smaller than usual?
Grace: Uh-huh. Clara dropped a sheet of gingerbread so we had to improvise…
Clara: But I think it’s cute!
Julie: *nods* You can set it over there!
Caroline: Do you think this will work for a tree skirt?
Clara: A tree skirt? That’s too small!
Caroline: *sighs* I know, I know. But it’s all I could find!
Clara: You should have asked me! I have a stash of fabric upstairs! *runs to bedroom* But please wait before hanging the ornaments!!!
Caroline seemed relieved. Soon we had a tree skirt, a prepped tree, and a tiny gingerbread house. Things were starting to come together, and now we could finish decorating the tree!
We all had fun doing that.
Julie: Alright! Time to put up the star!
Clara: Oooh! Can I do it this year!!
Julie: Ok. Here’s a chair.
Clara: I can’t reach. I’ll have to stand on the back!
Caroline: Is that sturdy?
Grace: Clara, I’m not so sure–
Clara: Just a little furthur…!
Clara: AH! TIMBER! HELP!
Grace: Oh dear! *Braces self* OOF! Erm…
Julie: Oh my goodness! Amazing catch!!
Caroline: That fall would have been awful…
Grace: Clara, you… have. to. get–Off!!
Clara: I cannot!
Grace: Some help, please! I’m holding the tree and Clara!
Caroline: Oh, of course!!
Grace: Push!!
Clara wobbled off of the now-upright tree, while Grace gasped from the effort.
Julie: Crises averted! Grace, you just saved the day and Clara!
Clara: Well… *nervous chuckle* on the bright side, I did get the star on top!
Suddenly, the door bell rang, I left to get it while Clara and Grace recovered. It was our cousin, Consuelo.
Consuelo: Hi guys!! I wanted to come over and help you decorate,
Consuelo: but it looks like you’ve finished! It looks pretty in here.
Clara: I’m glad! You should have seen it two minutes ago…
Consuelo: I brought something for you to add!!
Caroline: How sweet!
Grace: What is it?
Consuelo pulled out a small nativity she had been holding under her arm.
Consuelo: It’s a nativity! Christmas decorating can’t be complete without one!
Julie: That’s wonderful, Consuelo! Thank you! Let’s put it in the center of the table over here!
Caroline: Perfect.
Julie: This is a great reminder of the true reason we celebrate. Not presents or Christmas trees or gingerbread houses, but Jesus, our Savior. Even if everything is falling down and seems hopeless (whether it be Christmas trees, or other things in our lives), that doesn’t mean that Christmas is ruined, or our lives are ruined, because that’s not what it’s really about.
Caroline: We need to fix our eyes on Jesus, this season. And all seasons, for that matter. He is all we really need in this life, as our Savior, joy, and hope for eternity.
We all nodded, and were quiet for a few moments before I broke the silence.
Julie: I think it’s time to turn on the Christmas tree lights, don’t you?
Clara: Yes!!!
Grace: Um, Julie?
Consuelo: Yayy!!
Grace: Julie??
Julie: Yes? What?
Grace: We, uh… don’t actually have an outlet in this room.
Julie: *blinks* What?? You’re saying–? Oh NO!
Caroline: Well, at least we all know that’s not the true reason for the season!
Julie: Yeah….
Clara started to laugh.
Clara: What a mistake! No outlet for the Christmas lights!
And then we all joined her in laughter. No late decorating, tiny gingerbread houses, falling trees, or lack of lights was going to keep us from joy in the true meaning of Christmas!
♥ ♥ ♥
Smile and Craft AG 