Christmas Ornaments, Memories of God’s Handiwork (Guest Post by Karen Roberts)

Far away from home. No internet. No cell phones. No international calls. No extended family. Just Keith, Kristin, and me. A different Christmas

Good news! The Air Force flew Christmas trees to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. 

We bought handmade ornaments from the “House of Hatten” close to the base. 

Lights and garland glowed as we hung the ornaments and icicles one-by-one. 

We smiled at the gift we received from the Air Force!

A couple of days later, I found a tick on Kristin, our preschooler. Ticks were in her bed and all over the house. Neighbors found ticks everywhere in their homes.

The Christmas trees carried gifts of a different nature … ticks. We trashed the trees but kept the ornaments.

“What’s your favorite memory of Christmas, Keith?”

“The year Kristin and I dragged that Christmas tree to our condo in Alexandria, Virginia.” 

We couldn’t afford the tree, and it was too big for the condo, but it was our first Christmas back in the states.

We proudly hung our ornaments from the Philippines on it. Ornaments we still have today, 40+ years later.

Today, ornaments adorn our tree from countries far and near. Each ornament has a story, and each Christmas becomes a time of remembering our walk with each other and with God.

Memories of hardships overcome and memories of sweetness experienced deepen faith.

God told the Israelites to remember and share how He had worked in their lives. They set up memorials that prompted them to remember God’s guidance, protection, and provision. 

David took time to remember God’s works. 

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands. Psalm 143:5 (ESV)

Jesus used bread to prompt us to remember that He gave His body as the Perfect Sacrifice. The cup of wine symbolizes His blood that was shed for us.  (Luke 22:19-20)

From everlasting to everlasting,

Love wrapped in flesh,

Showed the Way, the Truth, the Life.

His life for yours and mine.

Love wrapped in flesh

 That first Christmas day.

Our Loving Father, thank You for giving the world Your Son. We rejoice as we remember how You have worked through the ages and in our lives. May our memories of Christmases past cause us to bow before You in thanksgiving and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Christmases past give Christmases future treasured memories.

What are your favorite memories of Christmas?

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Karen Roberts teaches and writes Bible studies and devotions. She and her husband speak at marriage conferences and teach Bible studies on marriage. Roberts blogs at www.PossessHisPromises.com.