About Me
Fun Facts about Van Walton
My favorite smell: The way the earth smells after it rains.
My favorite sound: The first notes of a grand symphony.
My favorite way to relax: Sitting anywhere outside - on my front porch, on my deck, or by the lake, early in the morning with my first cup of coffee.
My favorite birthday dessert: a Peach cobbler baked by my husband. He’s my fave chef!
I will not eat: Avocado. They turn my stomach into a volcano that never erupts.
Technology I couldn't live without and why: My laptop - it takes me anywhere I want to go.
One thing that makes me smile: My sons' faces!
Friend Van on FacebookMy Resources
My book, From the Pound to the Palace, is available for $10
from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My book, Little Halos, is available for $5.99 from Proverbs
31 Ministries.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Links
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING DURING CHRISTMAS ANYWAY?
I have a confession to make. I am not ready for Christmas!Not in the way the world would approve, anyway.
Yet I don't feel any less Christmassy.
I haven’t even considered putting up my Christmas tree.
My house is a mess.
I have thought about generating some Christmas cards to send to those who don’t know about my blog because I haven’t communicated with them for years!
I have only gone Christmas shopping twice.
“OOOOOOOOOOOh,” the world would say. Better get busy!
This is what I have done:
My house is a mess.
I have thought about generating some Christmas cards to send to those who don’t know about my blog because I haven’t communicated with them for years!
I have only gone Christmas shopping twice.
“OOOOOOOOOOOh,” the world would say. Better get busy!
This is what I have done:
I spent quality time with loved ones:
Right after Thanksgiving when I usually begin “getting ready for Christmas” I returned my energetic 85 year old mother to her house on the lake in Missouri. She and I cleaned up her house, packed up her pick up and headed west across Oklahoma toward New Mexico.
We had the most wonderful hours -long conversations about our ancestors who had driven in covered wagons across Oklahoma centuries ago and settled these plains. How had they prepared for Christmas? One thing we know: they celebrated Christ. We know that because they passed their faith on to us!
Right after Thanksgiving when I usually begin “getting ready for Christmas” I returned my energetic 85 year old mother to her house on the lake in Missouri. She and I cleaned up her house, packed up her pick up and headed west across Oklahoma toward New Mexico.
We had the most wonderful hours -long conversations about our ancestors who had driven in covered wagons across Oklahoma centuries ago and settled these plains. How had they prepared for Christmas? One thing we know: they celebrated Christ. We know that because they passed their faith on to us! When we arrived in Santa Fe I moved my mother into a lovely adobe condo across the street from her sister and brother in law. She settled in for the winter. 
I spent two wonderful weeks with my mother during Thanksgiving and the fist week of December. I also spent quality time with my aunt and uncle and their friends.
We didn’t bake, put up a tree, or shop... much – I stepped into one Christmas store to buy an ornament for my son and his wife, a typical clay depiction of Jesus in the manger.
We sat around, discussing the world’s affairs while we listened to music by the warm fire of a kiva. We shared our favorite memories from the past and agreed we were at peace with the world because we believe the message of the prophets, angles, kings, and shepherds.
Oh – and we decorated!
I spent two wonderful weeks with my mother during Thanksgiving and the fist week of December. I also spent quality time with my aunt and uncle and their friends.
We didn’t bake, put up a tree, or shop... much – I stepped into one Christmas store to buy an ornament for my son and his wife, a typical clay depiction of Jesus in the manger.
We sat around, discussing the world’s affairs while we listened to music by the warm fire of a kiva. We shared our favorite memories from the past and agreed we were at peace with the world because we believe the message of the prophets, angles, kings, and shepherds.
Oh – and we decorated!
My uncle is a weaver. To celebrate Christmas around his house, weavings go up on the wall and like stars and snowflakes his handiwork celebrates God's gift to us - the talents our Father gives us so we can enjoy life and share with others. My aunt is a pianist so we decorated the 
piano with a pot full of greenery and added her keepsakes from travels in Europe where she studied in Austria one year. Christmas cards - old and new and of course an antique copy of Handel's Messiah had to be added to the decor.
piano with a pot full of greenery and added her keepsakes from travels in Europe where she studied in Austria one year. Christmas cards - old and new and of course an antique copy of Handel's Messiah had to be added to the decor. And we added this finishing touch using some of my aunts favorite vases:
To the clear one - we added red, green, and white marbles and filled it with water. The water magnified the marbles. We oohed and ahhed like children when we realized the effect. In the little clear, cut -glass vase my aunt crumbled up tissue paper and topped it with red and green jingle bells.
To the clear one - we added red, green, and white marbles and filled it with water. The water magnified the marbles. We oohed and ahhed like children when we realized the effect. In the little clear, cut -glass vase my aunt crumbled up tissue paper and topped it with red and green jingle bells.Christmas! Meant to be simple, joyful, and beautiful.
I gotta' run - my children are coming home for Christmas and I think they will want to see Christmas in their home. Come back in a few days and I will show you, not a New Mexico Christmas but maybe a bit of a Southern Christmas- whatever that may be!
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8 comments:
Thank you for your wonderful sharing of your life and your heart.This is the first time I have come into your blog, and thank you for having me.I have felt very much the same this Christmas...what does ready for Christmas mean? and as you have said...it is my heart who is preparing.The rush and the things just don't seem as important as in the past.Tradition is still an important part of the celebration, but simplicity and a grateful heart seem to be the focus in my soul. I have yet to step into a store or feel rushed to decorate to perfection, but my soul is good with that. Thank you for your suggestions for some new traditions this Christmas season, and beyond. May Christ's hope and peace be with you always. Wendy
Van,
I loved your devotion today. I am walking around thinking about the advice that all of those from the first Christmas would give us. Thanks for lending perspective to me today, my friend!
Amy
Hi Van:
Loved your devotional today-- very clever use of those involved at the first Christmas. And a good reminder of what we are truly celebrating.
I know what you mean about the craziness of preparation. My sister and I call each other on December 26th and sing: "It's the most wonderful day of the year." In other words, a whole 364 days until we have to do it all over again.
But the stress of the holiday is really what we have done to ourselves, trying to make a picture perfect holiday. Your devotional is a good reminder to us to aim our minds toward "the good part," as Jesus reminded Martha.
Van,
Thank you so much for your devotion today. Just this morning, my husband said that the scriptures we read at night seem more like we are checking something off our list. I feel I am personally worshipping Him every day, but that is when my children are gone to school. Somehow, I need to make it a part of our family worship.
Thanks again!
Lynn
I just read your devotion in my in-box from Proverbs 31 and it makes me think of what God and I wrote together, just yesterday. If you have time, stop by.
Yolanda
Higher Grounds
That fireplace is adorable!!!
I am so glad to hear your mom is moved all is well. What a nice precious time you spent with them. You will never be able to replace that.
I love your uncles weavings. beautiful.
We are keeping more simple this year and I feel so much better. Like you, I'm spending more time with people. I think it is a refreshing feeling. May you have a Merry CHRISTmas!
Shonda
Hi Van, Sounds like you are doing what you need to do, helping your mother and others. If that is not Christmas, then what is???? Think of Christmas as GIVING, LOVING, SHARING---and remember that it is NOT about decorations!!!!
God Bless You for what you have done for your mother.
Hugs,
Betsy