'Tis the Season

Christmas is here! I've always thought Christmas is a fabulous time of year and looked forward to beautifully decorating my own home someday.  A yummy smelling (REAL) evergreen, thick garland, twinkling lights, an elegant nativity scene, a shining star on top of the tree....all things that should be seen in the perfectly decorated home at Christmas.  I was really excited to decorate, and then realized this would not be the year for my decorating dreams.  

Our two dollar garland is anything but thick....

Our tiny tree is most definitely fake and adorned with a small ribbon bow (Thanks Mama Smith for letting us borrow the tree!)

 



We have yet to acquire a nativity set and our other decorations are well, few in numbers :)

                                                                          

While the majority of our decorations are borrowed this year and our little apartment isn't oozing Christmas out of every corner, I don't think I would change a thing.  I'm sure Mitch and I, in years to come, will look back fondly on our first Christmas and cherish far more than the silly decorations.  As for the present, I'm actually grateful for our humble decor.  In spite of their somewhat pathetic appearance, my decorations really do help me to remember the true meaning of this special holiday.  I don't need a giant wreath or shiny ornaments to know that my Savior was born in a stable in Bethlehem and forever changed the world.  A fresh cut tree and tinsel don't change the miraculous event of His birth or the perfect life that followed.  Above any other decoration in our home this year, how grateful I am for the spirit of Christmas that we enjoy!