Yesterday was the day to take down the tree and box up the decorations. I used to dread the project but have learned a couple of ways to make it a little more enjoyable. Probably the best help is listening to the four "old" Christmas albums we have kept over the years. I didn't realize how much those "old" albums were a tradition to our family 'til both our girls mentioned them as part of Christmas. Okay, you need to know what four they are: Joy to the World by Connie Smith, Come On, Ring Those Bells by Evie, The Statler Brothers Christmas Card, and last but not least The Carpenters Christmas Portrait. As Vanessa has mentioned, since she grew up hearing Connie Smith belt out Go Tell It On The Mountain, no one else can quite measure up to her standard! The "old" vinyl 33's are showing their age as they are a little warped and scratched, but they are one of the possessions that our family holds dear. Listening to those Christmas carols really helps to keep the Spirit alive within. I have a newspaper cartoon tucked inside my bible that's a good reminder also. It's one of the Family Circus ones and has mom busy putting away the Christmas ornaments with little Jeffry stating "Grandma says when we put away the Christmas things we shouldn't put away the Christmas Spirit with them." Amen, Grandma you preach it! (I think her preachin' was her livin' it everyday.) Knowing what the Bible says isn't the challenge for the New Year, it's the life application or doin' what it says that's the hard part! Practice everyday! Oops, I see I missed puttin' away the mistletoe... maybe I'll leave that out on purpose!
