We finally put our little fake Christmas tree up today. Am I the only one who feels like the ornaments are never spread out like they should be? They always seem to be in clumps, but when I move them, they clump in other places. I don't think I have the gift of decorating Christmas trees. I always want to be a crafty-type person, but when I try, the fruit of my hands always looks like it was made by a ten year old.

We do a pretty low-key Christmas usually, because dh is not a fan of holidays and traditions and fuss and bother. This Christmas is even lower-key than usual, because we leave for furlough about ten days after Christmas. But my favorite thing about Christmas has not changed. I love the carols that spell out the point of the whole holiday. Here's a sample:

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray...
...................................................................................................

Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
.................................................................................................

Then why should men on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad?
When from our sin he set us free,
All for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place.
(Sussex Carol)

"Jesus is the reason for the season"...but that's not specific enough. The reason for the season is freedom from the power and bondage and penalty of our sin...I can't possibly thing of a better reason for celebration than that is!

Today I’m thankful for…

1.Poetry. I’m thankful that some saints are gifted with words in a way I am not, and they can give utterance to things that are (to me) unspeakable. My life is richer for poetry.

2. Homemade Christmas decorations. Simple, but a lovely reminder of the beloved souls in our care.

3. Precious saints who are beautiful examples of going through fiery trials with grace.

I had one of those days again today--the kind where you finally get the children in bed and then collapse into a chair and think, "I'm an utter failure." Not that I got nothing done today, but I could have done so much more. And even the things I did do...someone else would have done them far better.

Some people would say, "Oh, that's just a mood...everyone feels like that sometimes. Of course you're not a failure." And of course everyone feels like that sometimes. But the fact remains, I didn't do all I could have done today, and I didn't work hard enough at the things I did do. That being the case, I have three possible responses:

1. Say to myself, "It's ok. You can't be perfect. Just relax....tomorrow is another day."

2. Get depressed. Cry into my pillow and apologize to everyone in the household for my lack of diligence. Think how they would be better off without me. Decide nothing matters anymore.

3. Think about it biblically. Call my laziness "sin," because it is. Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness. Repent. Make a plan to do what is right tomorrow. Expect to fail tomorrow as well (for I am such a frail creature of dust!), but perhaps not to the same degree. Remember that God is a God of hope.

I'm trying for number three tonight.

O do not use me

After my sins! look not on my desert,

But on thy glory! then thou wilt reform

And not refuse me: for thou only art

The mighty God, but I a silly worm;

O do not bruise me!

from 'Sighs and Groans,' by George Herbert