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Familiar (A Five Minute Friday Link-Up)

November 26, 2017 by Lauren 9 Comments

The Christmas decorations are up.  I can hardly wait until after Thanksgiving (but never before) every year to tackle it.  We don’t “theme” our tree.  At least not at this juncture.  Our ornaments are sentimental – given to us through the years or bought as souvenirs.  The oldest dates back to the year I was born.  I won’t say exactly what year that was.  Some baubles I made as a child, some were made by my children.  Some are so very ugly that they are relegated to the back of the tree where no one will see them.  We laugh each time we hand-select the decorations to receive this “honor” knowing that no matter how hideous, we will only ever throw them away if they get broken beyond repair.

Our Christmas decor holds many memories.  There is something so comforting about getting it all out of the attic and putting it up for us to see.   A nativity that belonged to my grandfather, an ornament commemorating the first home we owned together, Shrinky Dinks made with my children, and things sewn by my grandmother.  Nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit like surrounding myself with these precious, familiar things.

Christmas movies also put me in the mood for the season.  My in-laws took us to see the new animated show The Star.  As I write this, the reviews sit at 55% rotten.  It’s simple.  It’s silly.  But it’s sincere.  It’s a retelling of the first Christmas, told from the perspective of the animals.  And no matter how many times I hear the true story of Christmas, no matter who is telling it, it touches me deeply.  My tears escaped their confines as I took in the familiar story of God’s great sacrifice.  That He would send His only Son down into this world of danger and pain to be a sacrifice for our sins.  That this tiny baby saves those who will receive Him from ultimate destruction.  I know it.  But I’m overwhelmed by it.  The beautiful, sacrificial, familiar love of God.

Welcome to the Christmas season.

“This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:12 NIV

I am joining Kate Motaung and other members of the Five Minute Friday community  for our weekly writing adventure. To learn about Five Minute Friday, click here. This week’s prompt is, “Familiar.”

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Comments

  1. Leigh says

    November 27, 2017 at 2:06 am

    Lovely reminder as we are entering into the advent season. Peace and blessings to you and yours! Stopping by from FMF!

    Reply
  2. Andrew says

    November 27, 2017 at 5:27 am

    Loved this, Lauren…we don't put up a tree any more – I'm too ill,and there's no energy to spare…but we always put the homemade ornaments from Barb's childhood up. They actually got pride of place, front and center.

    Do you know the song, "The Friendly Beasts"? It's written about the first Christmas from the animals' perspective, too, and it's charming.

    #1 at FMF this week.

    https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/11/your-dying-spouse-409-necessity-fmf.html

    Reply
  3. Lauren Sparks says

    November 27, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  4. Lauren Sparks says

    November 27, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    I don't know that song. I will look it up. Thank you, Andrew. I'm continuing to pray for you and your family.

    Reply
  5. Lauren Sparks says

    November 27, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you for reading, Leigh!

    Reply
  6. Mom to 3 says

    November 27, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    "I heard an old old story how a Savior came from glory"-Victory in Jesus Eugene Bartlett Thank you for this reminder to cherish the familiar this Advent season.

    Reply
  7. Lauren Sparks says

    November 27, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    Love that hymn. Thank you for reading.

    Reply
  8. traceyatwaterintowine says

    November 29, 2017 at 11:39 am

    Yes we have a few ornaments that are special but not so pretty that go at the back of the tree and a lot of crafty decorations the children made when at preschool. Its lovely to see them each year. I enjoyed your five minutes. You have a very pretty eye catching blog. God Bless Linked Up not too far from you at the FMF Link Up

    Reply
  9. Lauren Sparks says

    November 29, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Thank you so much Tracey.

    Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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