Echoes From the Campfire

I’ve seen enough country to know there’s beauty spread in all directions.  If a place is ugly, you can pretty much figure it was something men had done to cause it.”
              –Lou Bradshaw  (Along the Way)

    “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.”
              –Psalm 90:17 (NKJV)
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I enjoy sitting in my chair, whether it be morning or throughout the day.  From where I sit I can view the woods from the window in my cottage; watch for visitors, all sorts of four-legged animals and birds.  In the morning I do my devotions and watch it turn from dark to graylight to seeing the sun sends its rays through the trees.  From that chair I can also gaze out across the room to fix my stare on the decorated tree with all its lights and ornaments.
    I have been told many times that my first word revolved around the tree and seeing the lights as we would go out.  They must have attracted my attention for the first thing out of my mouth at that tender young age was–“Pretty.”  I wouldn’t say that I’m an optimist, and most certainly I am not a pessimist; hmmm, that makes me a realist.  We live in a dirty, ugly world, but I try to see the things that God created, whether in nature or in humans.  There are beautiful things out in the world; there are those “pretty” things.
    Maybe some of this stemmed from my Mom.  Christmas was her favorite time of the year.  It was never hurry, hurry, I’m late, I must buy this.  Oh, there was some of that, but it never detracted from Mom’s Christmas.  In fact, one of her favorite things was to buy something for everyone.  She enjoyed giving, and on that Christmas Day, watch as her presents were opened.  She loved the colors, the music, the food, and all that went into Christmas.  She enjoyed hearing the carols sung, whether in church, or TV or in days past–carolers.  
    It was a bleak sight that first Christmas.  The stable, most likely a cave, meager supplies–I imagine they felt like a cast-out being forced to stay with the animals.  The weather, probably cool.  Most likely it was a clear night with the stars shining brightly.  I don’t know what food Joseph and Mary had with them, or whether or not they were able to purchase something to eat.  Simple–yet I can see the anxious look on both their faces with the soon coming of “their” son.
    Then I thought to the scene of the throne.  That very throne from which the Son of God had recently left to take His place as a babe on earth.

         “…and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald…  And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.  Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.  Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal…”
                   –Revelation 4:3,5-6 (NKJV)

Frightful, inspiring, tremblings, and I must add “pretty.”  What a sight that will be!  The throne, quite a difference that the manger, in the stable, on Christmas.  Now the sight of holiness, the “living creatures” flying continuously around the throne, never resting, crying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 5:8, NKJV).
    Enjoy the lights and sounds of Christmas.  See them in the light of the Lord, and keep your focus upon Him.  Think in terms of giving, loveliness, joy and thus rejoicing.  Ahhh, it’s all so PRETTY!