I so desire to make my home warm and cozy for the family. Think for a moment about how God has surrounded us in the winter season with scenery that is just gorgeous! If you live where it snows, the fresh fallen snow and icicles display God’s glory! Think about the crackle of ice and snow below your feet as you walk – the same crackle sound you heard when you were 5 you hear at 55. There is a continuity about the remembrance of the crisp air and the smell of pine that gives me peace.  In the same way, our Christmas decorations that we pull out year in and year out bring continuity, memories and a warm glow to our homes.

Though heaven is our eternal home, God has given us gifts of beauty here on earth – there is beauty in the fields covered with snow, in the sunset over a chilled pond, the frost in the morning on the blades of grass and smoke rising from the chimneys.

Our homes are temporary but they are an opportunity to reflect God in a small measure. Genesis 1:26 says “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.”

We have been created in the image of God and some may be very talented in the area of decorating while others are like me – not the queen of decorating –  but we all have the ability to create something special for our loved ones.

Edith Shaefer says “For the Christian who is consciously in communication with the Creator, surely his home should reflect something of the artistry, the beauty and order of the One whom he is representing, and in whose image he has been made!”

 God has given you a home whether it’s an apartment you share, a farm house, a city home, or a home identical to all your neighbors – it is your home to reflect God’s artistry in.

Here’s this week’s challenge:

Decorate! The holidays are upon us. Ann Voskamp says “Creating is good theology. In the beginning God created.” Be creative as you make your home warm, cozy and inviting for the holidays. Think about ways you can keep Christ in Christmas even in the way you decorate.  Decorate – to the glory of God!

We decorated for Christmas this past weekend.  One of my favorite Christmas decorations growing up in our home was a Santa statue bowing down to baby Jesus.  So when I found this “Christmas” word art at Walgreens for $6 I snatched it up!  I LOVE it!  

Up high you’ll see – we hung a mistle toe for fun and to add a little zip to our day – I expect some extra kisses!  You might also notice one stocking is not like the others – this is our Jesus stocking.  During the month of December, I am encouraging the kids to put money in this stocking and on Christmas we will donate it to the Good Morning Girls Christmas Charity – The Last Well - the goal is to raise $10,000 to dig a well in Liberia – so far GMG has raised $4,300 dollars – we are almost half way to our goal and invite you to join us if you are looking for a charity to donate to this Christmas.

We put candles in all our windows to remind us we are the light of the world.

And lights on our staircase. 

Next weekend we will buy a live tree and decorate it!  Here’s a picture of last year’s tree.

 
This is it! The final week!  If you are participating in this challenge leave a comment below with how it’s going – if you are a blogger copy this button into your blog post, write about how it’s going and link up on Wednesday at the Women Living Well Wednesday Link-Up party!!

Thank you all so much for your accountability. I appreciate you joining me on this 4 week journey!  If you made it through and did it all – we’d love to hear how God worked in your home! Thank you for joining me!  It’s been a blessing!

Walk with the King,

Chime In: Are you decorating this week?  How do you keep Christ in Christmas?  And how has this 4 week journey blessed you and your home? Share with us.