First of my favorite Christmas ornaments - and their stories

Every time I touch this very fragile Christmas ornament, I think of all the hands that have touched this piece.  I remember well my mom talking about this particular ornament because it was one that was ALWAYS on her Christmas tree - all her life (until she gifted it to me!).  This beaded ornament came from Germany.  It was brought over with my great grandmother and great grandfather when they immigrated to the United States in 1870.  They arrived on a boat after a not so wonderful journey.  Somewhere on the Atlantic ocean, one of their children died.  They only came with a few trunks and household items.  Among those items, was this ornament.  I remember my mom getting so emotional every Christmas as she hung this on our tree. 

For me this piece of the history of my family is priceless.  I know that many people have family heirlooms that they treasure.  Mine just happens to only be used one time a year - Christmas.  My mom often talked about her family Christmas traditions.  They would go to church on Christmas Eve.  That service was always the children's Christmas program.  When the family returned home, they would put up the Christmas tree.  Mom would talk about, when they lived in Bemidji Minnesota, it was so cold that they would put their wool socks on the stove before they left for church.  And when they returned home after the service they would put on the now very warm socks to thaw out their feet.  Of course they WALKED to church - even at night!!  Mom remembered when they had actual candles on the tree instead of lights and they would only be lit two times each year.  On Christmas eve and on Christmas. 

I am so blessed to have this ornament and the story that goes with it.  I am sharing this story here, so that it doesn't get lost or forgotten.  I make sure that this ornament is hanging in a spot on my tree in a spot that I can see it every day.  I need to be reminded of the incredible ways my family has seen the provision of the Jesus.  This beaded ornament is a symbol of the grace and joy that was poured out on my great grandparents as they started a new life in America.  It is a symbol of their ties to Germany - their home.  I imagine the home sickness they must have felt.  Missing their mothers and fathers.   And I love that this bit of glass and beads must have made them feel a bit closer to their roots and connected to their family. 

Jesus, thank you for your provision for my family. Thank you for this precious family heirloom.  Holy Spirit, I love that you remind me of all the stories that I have heard about this ornament.  Thank you for providing this blog so that I can share these wonderful memories.  Holy Spirit, continue to bring to our minds the stories and memories that help us to grasp the depth of your provision for us through out our generations.  Jesus, thank you so much!    Amen