Tis the Season....

...to share. It doesn't necessarily have to be a beautifully wrapped present or spare change dropped into a jingling can. Time, smiles, meals, a hug, a head pat, a back scratch (take note everyone, I particularly enjoy being on the receiving end of a back scratch), a big wave, a good wish, sincere prayers, tidings of great joy, all count in the beautiful art of sharing. Or, you could make ornaments together, but be prepared to still be cleaning glitter for at least a full year. We did just that. Two Saturdays ago we took a little afternoon trip to a Big City to purchase a REAL Christmas tree and all of the shenanigans that come with it. We did not go fancy on the shenanigans, but kept it simple and color coordinated. Last Sunday, Jason, Luka, our intern Dave and I had a little Christmas decorating party, along with small, cold boxes of non-alcoholic eggnog and some cheery Christmas music to tap our feet to while we wound lights around our sweet little tree and made a questionable star to top it off with.
Tuesday night we gathered with our friends to sip some coffee, munch on cookies and study God's Word together. Only this time we had a surprise birthday party awaiting Fanny, one of our Refuge workers and friends, and we made Christmas ornaments for our tree. We all had a verse related to the story of the birth of Christ to make into an ornament, and it was cool to see the different and creative ideas that were put into shape. What we had to work with:

• Shiny red card stock
• one pair of scissors
• one bottle of glue
• two sharpie markers
• colored Popsicle sticks
• green glitter
• silver glitter

Imagine trying to share all that among 15 people or so. Whew! Somehow we all ended up alive and well, and with an ornament to scribble our names on the back of and a lot of good laughs. Our tree now has a lot of character, and the cool thing is that the people who come into the cafe read the verses on the ornaments.
I love Christmas. I love what it means. I love what God did so long ago for mankind, and for providing for us so that we can enjoy all of the fun traditions of lights, decorations, gifts, pies, carols, candy canes and so on, which really have nothing to do with what God did, other than to spread more of what was deeply in His heart on that night when he sent His hope and redemption for all who would receive Him: Love. So go give your gifts, give your hugs, scratch a few backs, smile wide with a twinkle in your eye...even at someone you don't know. Spread His love as much as you can and maybe there might just be a little more peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

But momma I want to dig my fist into that cake. Isn't that reason enough to let me?

No, I'm not licking icing off my finger. Why do you ask?

Surprised! Hee hee.

The glitter station

"Does anyone know where the scissors are?"

Luka found the glitter...with his mouth.

Diego got fed up with his inability to get his hands on the art supplies and even less of a clue as to how to make an ornament. He had been twisting the verse paper while he waited, and decided it was just as well to glue it on like that. Hah! When he put it on the tree, he stuck one of the lights through the paper. It added a nice highlighting touch and quickly became one of my favorite ornaments.

Feliz Navidad!