The Beauty of Christmas

One room in our house is decorated 100% by the kids. The ornaments are randomly clustered on the tree and their adorable faces grace many of the homemade keepsakes. There’s a train and multiple nutcrackers… It’s all things tradition in there and we love it. However, there’s another room that I intentionally keep simple, not only because it fits my style but also because it helps me stay focused on the TRUE beauty of this season: The incredible news of Luke 2:10-11.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

I love this chubby little stone lamb that sits on our coffee table all year long. At Christmas, he fits right in with the motif. I add a lighted wreath to the tobacco basket up on the wall… I’m quite certain the tobacco basket doesn’t fit the motif but it’s a good backdrop and I love when I can just leave something out rather than store it away. I also replace two of my throw pillows with one wintery lumbar.

I choose items that don’t reference Santa or anything holiday specific so they can stay out well into February without making me feel ashamed. I change the dark candles out for white, incorporate a lovely little glass tree and light up the topiary… then wonder why I didn’t do that a month ago because it’s so cheery on these dark days.

One of my favorite things to change out is the art. Some elegantly simple winter images replace the photos and suddenly it all feels appropriately serene. Once again, I don’t have to put anything in storage since I’m using the same frames and the previous photos just slip in behind the new ones.

I can never get enough of these natural colors and textures together. Black hardware, white stoneware, stained wood, wools and linens. They provide just as much simple beauty today as they did in colonial times and I believe they’ll always be timeless.

Finally, a simple nativity in a prominent location grounds everything. In our own hustle and bustle, it quietly reminds us of what was happening in the midst of a packed out, chaotic city over 2,000 years ago. A true King had come to us in the most humble of circumstances to change our relationship with the God of the universe, forever.

Merry Christmas!!

I pray this season is filled with peace & joy for you and your loved ones and the glory of Christ shines all around you.