Watching, sharing...

Our old Christmas tree gave up the ghost last year (I just wasn't willing to bend the mangled branches anymore). Our new tree arrived via UPS this afternoon and we put it up tonight (and by we I mean me). It's a really nice pre-lit tree with soft branches and very few gaps. I ordered it from Sears and it's on sale right now (after I ordered it, of course) if you're in the market for a new tree. I really wanted to get one with white lights but it was out of stock. I'm the only one in the family that likes white lights, so I guess it's just as well.

After cleaning and vacuuming the living room, moving furniture, and assembling the tree, my back just didn't have enough left to get out the ornaments. We'll decorate the tree tomorrow.

The two little kids scampered off to watch a movie while Lily and I sat in the living room. Very high on my list of favorite things to do at Christmas is to sit in the dark and watch the Christmas tree. Dan teases me that unless we have blinking lights it's not really "watching" the tree, but blinking or not that's what I call it. When I was a kid my Mom and I would sit in the dark watching the tree and listening to Stille Nacht by Mannheim Steamroller. It's this beautiful piano & choral arrangement that culminates with the gentle sound of blowing snow. So peaceful. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

Tonight Lily and I sat in the dark listening to David Archuleta's Christmas from the Heart on the iPod. The lights were off and Lily was reading. I laid on the couch and watched the tree and pondered on the beautiful words and beautiful voice in each song. Laying there, I began to realize that it has been a very, very long time since I have shared a companionable silence with someone in my family. I am always either trying to get things done or trying to hide from everyone. It was so filling to be still in the glow of the Christmas lights and feel gratitude for my family and my circumstances.

Laying so peacefully, Lily put a warm blanket on me and I drifted off to sleep thinking of the birth of Jesus and what a blessed time of year this is.