Decorations

This is the day we decorate for Christmas.
There is something about going up into the attic and bringing down the boxes.
I know what is in each box; I helped pack them away last year.
Every year it is new; every year it is if I am seeing them for the first time.

I like that the Christmas decorations are fresh each year.
I like unwrapping each item in anticipation.
I enjoy remembering where I got each one or who gave it to me as a gift.
A little bit of history packed away and brought out anew.

There is something about transforming our home for Christmas.
Greens above the doorways; mistletoe hung in strategic places.
Candles in the windows and lights on the trees outside.
The right Christmas scented candle burning in the kitchen.

The wreath on the front door, the stockings hung by the fireplace.
The nativity that was mine when I was a little girl in its special place.
The Christmas dishes put in the old Hoosier cabinet.
Christmas music wafting through the rooms.

A beautiful transformation.

What if the transformation was only external?
What if the heart of our home was ugly, unkind, and detestable to God?
Who would know?

God would know!

I like that the outside of our home reflects Christmas.
I care far more that the inside of our home reflects Christ.
Decorations may clean up the house; polish it to look its best.
Are the decorations a mask or do they exemplify what is truly important?

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead man’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:25-28)

It is not enough to clean up well.
It is not enough to decorate the outside when the inside is indifferent.
Indifferent to the WHY of the decorations; just caring about appearances.

We cannot point to homes and know for sure that the outside reflects the inside.
We cannot point to homes and know for sure that it is just going through the motions.

We can only look at the condition of our own hearts.
We are responsible for the truth of our display.
Is it packaging and window dressing?
Is it true down deep?

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:5-13)

Jesus cares about the inside more than the outside.
Outside appearances can be deceiving.
We cannot hide the inside from our Lord.

That is a good thing.
It keeps us in check; keeps us accountable.
Keeps our walk and our talk in sync.
Keeps the outside of our homes reflecting the inside of our homes.

Whether talking about our hearts or our homes, we want a place where Christ dwells.
Then, it will be truly beautiful inside and out!

 

2 responses to “Decorations”

1. Amen Gina – well said. We spent the day putting up our decorations as well, but above all else may our hearts and homes reflect the love of Jesus . Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving !

   Reply

   • We had a lovely Thanksgiving, Diane.
     Everyone is home; we are enjoying the time together.
     I am sure your home reflects Christ well.
     Gina

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