Christmas Tree : Lights, Memories, Traditions

As is our family tradition, we put up our Christmas tree today (the day after Thanksgiving). The kids enjoyed themselves. We listened to Jimmy's Mannheim Steamroller cd as background music. The kids selected a nice random variety of ornaments... some fancy... some homemade... some school projects by the tots. They like them all. As for our tree, a friend gave us a hand-me-down 8 or 9 years ago. It has probably seen better days.

But tonight as we were reading a Christmas story by the tree (well... while Tru was undecorating the tree - rather), I was thinking about how it just doesn't matter to kids what the tree looks like. They love the LIGHTS and the MEMORIES and the TRADITIONS.

My dad altered the words to a familiar Christmas tune... "Oh, Christmas Tree". Growing up, we decorated our tree with felt ornaments to go along with the symbols:

Oh, Christmas Tree

Oh, Christmas Tree

You represent Eternity.

The Bell is JOY

The Heart is LOVE

The Dove is PEACE from God above.

The Star reminds us of His birth

The night CHRIST came to dwell on earth.

May we remember sacredly, the meaning of our Christmas tree.

I've tried to continue these symbols in decorating my tree because I love the tradition and meaning.

"Christmas is a time of lights. We light our homes and trees, our streets, and our store windows. Processions of singing families carrying torches wind their way through the snowy Alps of Austria as they go to attend church at Christmastime. On that first Christmas night lights appeared in the heavens, especially one bright star that shone down on the manger where the Baby Jesus lay. Far away in the “new world” bright lights were also seen in the heavens.

"... At this special time of year may you feel the JOY of Christmas, remembering Jesus as you see the LIGHTs of Christmas." First Presidency - December 1972