Deck the Halls

My daughter and I put up the Christmas tree today. The tree is full of ornaments made by the girls or given to us through the years. The top branches have the honor of holding the breakable items. The lower branches host the more durable décor, as a safeguard for inquisitive grandchildren.

Getting the tree was a family event as I grew up. We lived on a farm that included forested area along the Snake River. The whole family would trek out through the woods, looking for the perfect tree. We’d see one in the distance and then discover as we got closer, that it was two trees growing close together. We also had to be size-sensitive—a tree that looked great out in the open, might not fit in the house at all. My mother always liked a spruce with the little berries on it.

Most often, we’d top a tree. After the top was cut off, my father would leave the nicest looking top branch on the remaining tree, and saw off all other branches three feet below that. The tree would then grow another top from the branch my father left. Eight or so years later, it might be selected again for our Christmas tree.

Back at the house, we’d anchor the tree in a five-gallon bucket of dirt. Sometimes my brother would drill holes in the trunk and cleverly add branches to the inevitable bare spots. Then after the tree was positioned to everyone’s satisfaction in front of the big picture window, the decorating would begin.
The lights and the star went on first under my father’s supervision. My parents were married during World War II. They did not have enough money for tree ornaments and my father made a star out of a tin can to top their tree. That star graced our tree as long as I can remember.

After the lights were strung, my mother sat by the decorations box, putting on hangers and handing out decorations. The six of us kids would go back and forth between her and the tree until all the ornaments were hung. Then with only the tree lights glowing, we’d sit and sing Christmas carols together.

Traditions, songs and festivities go together. The Bible describes such a time for the Israelites. “You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to {the sound of} the flute, To go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel” (Isaiah 30:29.)

What Christmas traditions were special to you as a child?

God bless….

Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.

Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com