SHORT PEOPLE

We knew this last snow was coming and it did not disappoint. There is a fresh, new blanket of snow covering the ground outside. The doggies and I had the previous snow cover pretty scarred up with our repeated trips to the mailbox and all, so it's nice that we have a pristine new cover. The trees don't look nearly as pretty as they did previously, when they were covered with the snow clinging to their upper extremities. Nor, do they look like they did yesterday, when I drove to town. Then, because of the extreme cold, all the trees sparkled and appeared jewel-like. It was amazing to see. Today, they just look bare, but the ground is white. It still looks like a winter wonderland in Central Kentucky.

I will finish my decorating today. I have two more nativities to put out. I did two yesterday. The first was a gift from Mark's parents. It's been displayed each Christmas season on the dining room hutch for countless years. The second is a Merry Minature display that I always place near my kitchen sink. Both are surrounded by greenery and little white lights. I'll put the creche my neighbors gave me on the mantle this year. That's breaking with the previous tradition of music boxes and bears that always adorned my mantle, but I'm trying to simplify here. The last nativity is the little pastel hand-painted pewter Precious Moments figures I bought when we lived in New England. It really is precious to me and it'll probably be placed somewhere close to the open family Bible. Still a little unsure about where. I'll want to be able to see it throughout the day, but won't want to worry about the figures getting knocked over. I'll figure it out.

I'll complete my decorating with the Christmas tree. After years and years of getting real trees, I opted to go with a hand me down artificial tree from my mom. I did all the time consuming decorating last year with lots and lots of colored lights. After Christmas, I then moved it into a back bedroom and put a big plastic bag over it. I can't wait to see it relit in the great room this year.

Why do the media have to keep saying that we, who still have shopping to do, have waited til the last minute. Waiting til Christmas Eve is last minute. A week to go makes perfect sense to me. I consider myself on schedule, thank you.

The UpperRoom reading today was about Zacchaeus, which is found in Luke 19:1-10. It was always such a fun story to share with small children. We always enjoyed singing the song about the wee little man. The writer compares fellow Christians along our way as the trees that some of us use to see Jesus, similar to Zacchaeus climbing the sycamore tree. It's a beautiful analogy and I can think of many friends and family who have been there showing me Jesus through the years through their kindness, compassion and love. I only hope I do the same.

It also comes to mind that Zacchaeus was short. We all fall short of what God wants us to be. God did not send Jesus into the world for the righteous people, but for those of us who don't quite measure up. It was the lost and the uninformed of His love that God sent His Son. He came for me and you. He came for us, all. Thank you, God, for loving us so much that you gave us, the most precious gift of all, our savior.

This is a special time of year. I'm going to dwell on Christ's birth in a manger today and everyday this special season. You have a wonderful day, stay safe and warm, luv, Susan