In reading on the Above Rubies Yahoo Group, I found a wonderful way to look at the Christmas Tree. Thanks Kim for your fine words.....
Because I was always concerned with the Christmas tree's origin, our family has come up with our own symbolism.
1. Galations 3:13, Deuteronomy 21:23, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us-for it is written, 'Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree.'"
Because Christ was hung on a tree, the Christmas tree is a symbol of Christ's death on the cross and the redemption of sin.
2. John 8:12, John 9:5, Matthew 5:14-16, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." And, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
The lights we put on the tree symbolize Christ's light, and our light (we are the light of the world).
3. John 3:16, John 6:47, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life."
Because the evergreen tree is not a desiduous tree, that is it does not lose it's leaves or it's color, but remain green through all seasons, the tree symbolizes eternal life.
4. Zechariah 3:4, "Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."
The decorating of the tree symbolizes the change we go through when we are cleansed of our sins. We become beautiful in the eyes of our Lord.
Hope that helps. Using a Christmas tree as a "Symbol" tree can be a good lesson, and tradition, for your family to use as a witness to those who enter your home and for your children to pass along!
Visited my Grandmother in Lake City a few weeks ago, My dad just sent the pics, I thought I would share them w/ you...
All of us around Grandmother S. (My mom was there but she took the picture)
This is my fathers mother.
This is my sister and I w/ my Grandmother (prior to my hair cut)
Biggun and Grandmother S.
Honey Bear and Grandmother S. Honey Bear had Aunt T's lip gloss, her favorite thing to get from Aunt T.
Moose was tired of sitting still he wanted to get down and check everything out.
A few weeks ago I wet to get my hair cut but was not expecting it to be as short as it ended up. We are a family who likes LONG hair. My long hair had been getting in the way so I figured I would cut off 10 " and give it to Locks of Love and then I would have hair to my shoulders. Still long but not as long. Well the girl cut it at an angle and by the time it was over she had cut about 12 inches total. and I ended up w/ a Bob hair cut.
Not to bad, but still not long hair I am tring to get used to it. So is my husband.
My dear friend Mrs. D made me my Christmas Present early. :^) She gave it to me so I can have it for thanksgiving dinner preperations. I love my new apron! It covers every thing, this is hard to find when you have a nursing chest like I have....
(Sorry not a good pic, but my son took it)
Here is the material, I love the BEE's I got to pick out the material myself!!
Moose has been growing like a weed, his birthday is FRIDAY!!!! I can not believe he will be 1 year old!!!!!
He always has a smile on his face, but you will notice he is surrounded by pink, He is getting BOY toys for his birthday!!! :^)
He is finally interested in real food, we found some perfect size for his little hands.
We have pasta w/ parmesan cheese often for lunch.
Lastly a Mother/Daughter pic of us waiting for the horse and buggy ride at a fall harvest party.
It has been crazy in our house. Sickness, sickness Sickness is what is in our house. No not the H1N1, swine flu, but we have had strep throat, congestion coming out of eyes and yuckies in the tummies. We are praying all this is passing.
In the past few weeks we have had a space derby for scouts. Now our space derby is different then most Scout space derbies. We take 2lt bottles and fill them w/ about 1/4 way w/ water and then put it on a tube that has compressed air. Then the boys step back and pull a rope and wow can those 2lts bottle space ships fly. some went like 40 feet in the air. it is not a derby of winners but a derby of fun and participation. Here is a picture of the Webelo I and II standing behind their space derby ships.
Baby Bear is now officially Honey Bear. She hit her head a while ago and I kept saying "O'Honey" and she says Honey all the time now! So she is not longer Baby Bear but Honey Bear!
Honey Bear became attached to a t-shirt that belong to Moose. This tshirt had a bumble bee on the front and is brown. She kept wearing it to bed, (that was the only place she could wear it as we do not allow her to wear pants, her and I wear dress- this is not up for debate for those who read my blog that do not know me, thank you) I found some material and sewed it on the bottom of her shirt and she LOVED it. She would drive me nuts to wear it daily. We were washing it nightly. So I have been busy making her other tshirt dresses!!!
Here are a few more dresses we have made thanks to Aunt C, for all the material....
Here she is helping me ...
I will end w/ my little Moose who is walking all over the place since he was 9months old and his new trick at 11months is to CLIMB on everything. Oh I am in so much trouble, he has NO fear. :^)
Oct. 17, 2009 - First Daddy Daughter Date !!!
What's Buzzzzing......
Today Baby Bear and Daddy went on their first Daddy/Daughter Date. We got free tickets from Ruth Eckerd Hall for taking a survey and Daddy took his big girl to see Sesame Street Live, Elmo's Green Thumb.
She was so excited to get to wear her new dress and ride in Daddy's bye bye, (truck) This was the first time she ever got to ride in Daddy's bye bye. Elmo's Green Thumb on stage was just an extra perk for this little girls day. :^)
Here are the pics leading up to them leaving the house.
(Sorry not a good pic, but my son took it)
Waiting on Daddy
