by Beth Vogt @BethVogt
I collect Nativity
scenes. I don’t have an extensive collection, but I do have
a much-loved assortment that includes a hand-sewn cloth Nativity that
little hands may play with. I also have a treasured olive wood set from my
mission trip to Israel
in 2000, when my husband and I chaperoned a high school trip that our son went
on. My husband and I brought back matching Nativity sets for each of
our children, including our then-to-be-born “caboose kiddo,” Christa, who arrived later that year on Christmas Eve.
And then there’s the one tiny Nativity scene I keep out
all year-round, perched atop my armoire, right next to my daughter Amy’s
origami bridal bouquet. I started the tradition several years ago when a pastor challenged
his Christmas Eve congregation —
me included — to not pack Christmas away with the ornaments and the Advent
wreaths and the snowmen collections. Yes, I have one of those, too.
And so, I
display this one reminder of Christmas — or, as my husband reminds the family every year: Christ-mas:
the celebration of the Messiah — all year long. It’s a
purposeful way to honor Christmas in my heart. A reminder to
keep Christmas all the year. I look up as I’m putting clothes away, and I
remember that God is Immanuel … God with Us. God with me. Every day. All day long. All year long.
TWEETABLE
Keeping Christmas all Year - tips from @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Love it! Thanks so much Ms. Beth. I thought our home was strange with its twelve nativity scenes scattered throughout. We have a place in our family room we call "Amen Corner." In this area, we too keep a small set displayed on an antique table; surrounded by plaques, crosses, and other reminders of God's presence in our lives. Of course, we have others throughout our home, but this corner focuses our thoughts on Him with each gaze. God's blessings...
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Jim,
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love the idea of your "Amen Corner." What a beautiful way to remind yourself of God's presence in your lives.
Back when I was teaching women's Bible studies, I visited Precept Ministries several times. (Precept Ministries was founded by Kay Arthur.) Anyway, when you are walking through campus buildings, it seems as if wherever you look there are beautiful framed Scripture verses posted all over the walls. A constant visual reminding of God's Truth. I found it very calming and now have framed verses hung on the walls in my house, too.