I went on adventure yesterday. This adventure actually started a couple of weeks back, when I was putting up my tree and could not find the angel for my tree. Fast forward to last weekend and I went through all my Christmas stuff and realize that my “big box” of Christmas was no longer here.
See 6 months after Kip passed away a group of family and friends came over and helped clean out the house. His family had taken what they wanted of his stuff and there was a lot of stuff that we never unboxed in the 10 years that we lived in the house.
That first Christmas I found all new things to put up minus the tree. Last year the tree went up and the new things I had made the year before. This year, I have a new tree and I really wanted my Angel for my tree because She would fit on the top again.
Last weekend, I went through all of my Christmas stuff, and no where was the angel, or the advent wreath, or the ornaments that I had collected over the years, even my small manger scene was gone. All of it is replaceable or so I thought. Replacing started with a trip to Menard’s last weekend for new ornaments for the tree.
Yesterday, my adventure started at Gerten’s. I found a new “collectable” ornament for the tree. But no Angel, no advent wreath, and no manger scene. Next I went to 4 other stores. NOTHING. Even the craft store that says it is Christian had nothing that I was looking for. I guess maybe if I started looking in July. But hind site is always 20/20.
The thing of it was if I wanted an angel for my tree that didn’t light up I could have found one, but I like the idea of the tree topper lighting up. My advent wreath was different, in the fact that I could flip it over and use it as a decorative piece the rest of the year. My space that I use for Christmas is small so I have a small manger scene that I could put out. None of the stores had these things.
What I did see yesterday was a lot of Cardinals, Santa’s in truck’s, snowman, creepy nutcracker’s and elves. Some Harry Potter, and Star Wars. But nothing that screamed Christmas to me. Not even a small gingerbread house to even out the TV stand.
Don’t get me wrong, I like all of these things. Well, not the nutcrackers and elves they really were creepy looking. Maybe it is the year of 2020, maybe it is the fact that I still believe that Christmas should be about Angels, manger scene’s, celebrating advent and preparing for Christmas.
I was talking about Christmas Movies with someone not too long ago, and I have to confess that I have never seen Elf or Christmas Vacation. They are not my type of movies. I love the original Miracle on 34th St., A Christmas Carol and White Christmas. My tradition has become to record these movies on my DVR along with some of the classic specials and I watch them on Christmas Eve.
Each year we make new memories, we celebrate our traditions, and reflect back. This time of year is a time to remember, a time to reflect, a time to celebrate.
So this year without angels, manger scene’s, or advent wreath I will continue to celebrate, because Christmas has it own special magic. Embrace the magic.
Until next time,
Juli
Juli's Blog 