Day15 Christmas Countdown 2022

For a man who had to wear a uniform most days of the week, my dad had excellent taste in clothes. He loved to buy things for my mom and while she was happy wearing a pair of hand sewn culottes and a polo shirt most of the time, she looked mighty fine in the suits and dresses he selected for her. 

He always got a nice suit or three for himself for Sundays and dress up occasions and even mowed the lawn in a nice t-shirt and shorts. 

Twice a year he took me and my sister to buy our Sunday best for Easter and Christmas. He bought for us more often than that, but for sure that was a big day when we went for our holiday dresses. 

I remember one year as we stood at the checkout with whatever red velvet thing we had picked out, I saw this little sled pin by the register. I must have picked it up to look at it and he suggested we get that, too. 

It felt so grown up to have a Christmas pin to wear on the lapel of my dress coat that month of December.

For a generation that now wears jeans everywhere (me included) that sounds as old-fashioned as the white cable tights and patten leather Mary Janes I wore, but this pin is still a treasure that time can’t touch. 

Russ bought me this delicate glass and gold nativity set many years ago in a pricey gift shop in our downtown. Again I felt so special that he saw this and knew I would love it.

It’s the adult version for me of the sled pin my dad bought. 

Every year when I put it out, I smile because I wrote a note on the box for our kiddos when they someday have to clean out all our treasures. I wanted them to know their dad bought it for me and it’s to be kept by someone because it was sweet and thoughtful and unexpected. 

Do you have a piece of jewelry or some holiday plate, maybe a decoration from Christmas past that holds a sweet memory? 

I hope so. 

I hope you pull it out and wear it, display it, serve cookies on it and embrace the memory of love shown to you many Christmases ago. 

We humans are always seeking ways to gift others to show our love. We study our friends and family and their loves and needs and wants, and then we shop for items that we hope will be appreciated.

Our broken world, our broken selves, need a Savior and Lord and God knew this from the beginning of time.

Jesus is God’s handpicked gift to us – all that we want, all that we love, all that we need. Given to us to fulfill our greatest desires. 

This is the greatest treasure and gift of Christmas. 

Love and hugs today,
Laura