Since the weather has been so nice lately, our family decided to grill some hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner. After dinner, we played some Christmas music and put up the Christmas tree together. About four years, we decided to make our tree into a “tree of the nations.” Instead of putting up “regular” ornaments, we decided to put up ornaments that were purchased from various nations (a.k.a. “Daddy will bring something back from his travels”).
When we first started this tradition, our Christmas tree was practically bare. But over the years, we have been able to build up quite a collection. After putting up the tree, we spent some time in prayer for the various nations. We allow the kids to choose a nation that they want to pray for – (usually the nation that they choose is correlated with the best looking ornament… ha!).
After putting down the kids to sleep, I went back downstairs to just look at the tree. For me, I was just humbled and amazed at all the various places that God has allowed me to visit in the last four years. I realized that God is moving powerfully all over world, even as I am typing this entry.
Here are some pictures from tonight:
The kids and I are preparing ourselves for the task of putting up the tree
Halfway there
Our international tree! Almost every ornament is from a nation that I have visited in the last 4 years
The lights add the final touch to our international tree – I can’t wait to put presents for the family underneath the tree!