God provides beautiful transitions in nature that signify changes in season and serve as a quiet cue that the holidays are coming. Every year, as a child growing up in the Northeast, especially in the fall, I felt myself drawn to nature and its visible changes. God’s majesty and the richness of his creativity shone through in the way the hills looked like they were on fire with the brilliant golds, oranges and reds that shined brightly and fizzled quickly. It was like a masterful painting on display for a limited time. The crispness of the air, the trees full of ruby red apples, and pumpkins for pie all breathed notes of God’s blessings. I am so thankful God created such a beautiful and lively world all around us.
What would begin as a walk around the block would often end with delight and a treasure trove of goodies I found along my way. I’d bring home pockets, bags, and armfuls of brightly colored leaves, pointy pine cones, gnarly bare branches, birch bark from the ground, and smooth shiny acorns. If I got really lucky I’d find bittersweet vines, fragrant juniper branches, and Chinese lantern flowers to dry. I’d spend my Saturdays making gifts, wreaths, and decorations from these goodies. I would feel the anticipation growing that the holidays were really close now. I was devoted to making our home feel as festively decorated as I possibly could, so that when people came by they would feel the holiday spirit too!
It’s intriguing to me as my mindset has slowly changed over the years, while I still enjoy and find value in decorating and preparing for the upcoming holidays. God has shifted my focus to how precious the time to gather together is. The memories I hold most dearly are not those of the evergreen tablescapes and paint dipped pine cone placeholders, but are of everyone sitting at the table together laughing and talking, of my father and uncle playing their guitars after dinner, and of my cousins and I excitedly making our own costumes from blankets and bathrobes and quickly writing holiday skits to perform.
At this time of year, opportunities abound to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and create lasting holiday memories together. We also seem to be at such an interesting point in time where people are coming together to rebuild their social communities and seek out fellowship with one another. God has blessed us with a special time to invite others in and gather together with thankfulness this holiday season.
