when it's December 7th and your tree isn't decorated

The Christmas tree has been carefully chosen and is up in its stand at our house. It stands tall in the corner of our family room. 

Undecorated. 

My days have been full and I haven't found the energy in the evenings to haul up the lights and ornaments and decorate our 8 foot Fraser fir beauty. 

There would have been past Decembers when a bare tree on December 7th would've sent me into a holiday tizzy. 

THE TREE MUST BE TRIMMED THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. Everyone knows that. *wink*

But this year? No tizzy. No fretting. 

Now. Don't get me wrong. I LOOOVE Christmas decorating! I never love my house more than when it's dressed for this special season.

But.

I don't need shiny brights and pine cones and sparkly snowflakes to get into the Christmas spirit. 

My unlit tree is not a reflection of my heart. I'm all lit up inside with the warm fuzzies that come each year during the Advent season. 

Lights and wreaths are lovely, but they don't prepare hearts. 
The WORD alone prepares. 

On the night that our Savior took his first human breath, Angels filled the dark night sky with the thrill of Hope. Good tidings of great joy! Just as the shepherds soaked in the Good News and ran to share it, the Word, too, will carry me (and you!) with joy through this season and every other day of the year. 

Soak it up. See your sin. Marvel at His love. 

In a day or two, I will turn up the holiday tunes and decorate my tree to the nines. 

It will be beautiful. Partly because of the twinkly lights and ornaments, but 100% because of the meaning shining through it. 

The Savior has come.

Arise, O Christian people!
Prepare yourselves today;
Prepare to greet the Savior,
Who takes your sins away.
To us by grace alone
The truth and light were given;
The promised Lord from heaven
To all the world is shown.

Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus;
Turn not from me aside,
And help me to receive You
This blessed Advent-tide.
From stall and manger low
Come now to dwell within me;
I’ll sing Your praises gladly
And forth Your glory show.
-CW, 14
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