The Christmas Nutcracker

Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. In German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits. ... Nutcrackers are also a part of German folklore, serving as protectors of a house. 

I love this quote from a fellow blogger #Krystal D’Costa 

“At first glance, the story of the Nutcracker doesn't seem to really tie into the Christmas season other than its setting. But there are elements that seem to suggest a stronger connection. At its core, this is a story of the triumph of good, of acceptance, and goodwill. The celebration of Christmas also contains these elements in the story of the Nativity: Christ is born in adverse conditions—it is a triumph in the face of the corruption and malevolence. He, Mary, and Joseph count on the acceptance and goodwill of those who offer assistance and come to welcome the child. “

When I found most of the Nutcrackers they were like us broken, cast out, in need of attention/love and waiting for a place to belong.  We spend time, energy and excessive amounts of money during Christmas looking for all those things when really they are free. God offers a forgiveness for the broken, open arms for the cast out and a eternal home for the lost and weary. It does not cost anything to except all He has for us just a willingness to follow Him.

Each time I look at my Table I will be reminded of the Goodness and the many Blessings found in God. Remember  to keep the reason for the season first and enjoy all the blessings that follow.

The Gift

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts on Christmas .

Jesus is the Son of God and our loving Savior. He lived to teach us, and He suffered and died to save us from sin and death. Because of Him, we can be forgiven, we can overcome challenges, and we can live with God again someday.

 We spend 11 months living freely in and out of right and wrong. We don't concern ourselves with the outcomes. But, the last month of the year we remind everyone that you must be good in order to receive a present on Christmas Day.  

The day we celerbrate as the birth of our Savior is lost in the waiting on Santa Claus. God wants to give us the biggest gift which is Him. We waste months not seeking,studying or desiring a relationship with God. But we  miss opportunities to receive all the blessing God wants us to have. We trade a life of being in His presence only to wait on temporary presents. 

This tablescape is a idealistic portrait of Santa with a full sleigh of toys. It displays what we look forward to on December 25th very few of us spend that day thanking God for all our blessings and the forgiveness we have received during this year.

This tablescape reminds me to be thankful for the birth and death of my Savior Jesus Christ.it reminds me to be thankful daily the entire 12 months not just when we receive things asked for. The reason for the season is what we should be excited and waiting for not Santa. We should want everlasting life that God offers not just presents bought by Santa one day out of 12 months but His presence for eternity.

 

The Grinch vs What is the true meaning of Christmas

“Maybe Christmas “ the Grinch thought doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.  

Dr. Seuss

This weeks Tablescape features my favorite CHARACTER for the Christmas Holidays . The Grinch represents so many of us who have truly forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. We spend so many days through out the year with a hard heart and unforgiveness festering in our spirits. We approach Christmas not with reverence but with worldly expectations. Not with what should i be thankful for but what will i receive.

Christmas should be a opportunity for us to reflect and look at all that our Lord has done for us through out the year. We should be offering the good news of Christ and the true reason for the season. Offering the love of Christ, the beauty and joy that joining the family of Christ should be our focus.

The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16 -17 is a great expression of this.

“ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

When we focus on the true meaning we find gifts that have always been there. The smile of a happy child, a hug from a friend, a call to just say hi. These are gifts available all year not just at Christmas. What we should offer this time of year is the gift of true fellowship with God and tell his story.

Ask yourself what does this Season mean to me ?

 

Vintage or Old

vintage denoting something of high quality, especially something from the past or characteristic of the best period of a person's work.

old  belonging only or chiefly to the past; former or previous.

When deciding the difference between vintage and old you would consider age, quality and value or desirability. When i was thinking of this weeks Tablescape i pulled out a pattern i fell in love with years ago. Now it would be considered Old but not Vintage because it is not of great quality or value. But it is ironically called The Magic of Santa which features a Vintage Santa by #Sakura and it was a desired and sought after pattern by some. 

This reminds me to look at the people in my life who i would consider Old or Vintage and why. People come into your life for many reasons some bring joy and add to your life, you have others who only come to destroy or steal your peace and happiness. 

When we look at relationships we should really value and nurture the Vintage relationships. Those are the ones that weather storms with you, ones that have stood the test of battles and worn the scars proudly. The vintage people are here to stay and bring value and quality to your life. They are there through all the tears, the joy and all your ups and downs. They don’t fold when it gets tough. They enhance your life with joy and peace. Hold on to your Vintage people .

When we step back and examine the Old people what we find is yes they have been there a while and brought nothing to the relationship added no value to your life. They have been the storm and caused much  confusion surrounding people and your life. They have been absent in the midst of a crisis but they have often known you longer than your Vintage people. Release your Old people.

Keeping and releasing people in your life requires you to decide between length of knowing a person and quality of what knowing them has brought into your life. Remember Vintage people bring quality and value, they desire to see you live your best life. They are willing to work and fight with you to greater. The amount of time you have known someone does not and should not be the only reason they are still in your life. Those old people that are holding space and causing nothing but heartache and confusion should not be allowed to remain.

Nurture the Vintage people and watch your life grow , notice how peaceful and joyous you are when they are near or just calling to check on you. Those are the people who love you inside and out ,flaws and all, rich or broke. Vintage people are required in your life for balance. Hold on tight to your Vintage people and live a full and complete life.

Glue or Tape

 Beauty can become crushed and trashed in a blink of an eye.  It takes a special willingness to look for the treasure buried beneath it all. It takes commitment and responsibility  to mend or add the glue to hold it all together. 

Yes, tears fall, what if sets in but eventually the realization is now the real work begins. The questions are do i trash it all, do i sift through the disaster to see what can be saved or just continue to wallow in the mess.

When the decision is made to save what is possible, the question then becomes what will i use to fix this glue or tape.  

Tape is a temporary solution to a problem , tape only allows you to hold it together for a short amount of time. God does not want to be tape in your life. He does not desire a temporary fix for your problems. He wants you to be willing to take time to apply the glue and settle in for the permanent fix. Having the right mindset and the correct adhesive is great in all of your life. When we fix our mind on God not the problem he becomes the glue we need to mend or repair relationships, our life, family issues.

Do you have the right adhesive ? Is your glue God or self connected ? If you cannot answer those questions truthfully everything will continue to fall apart and remain crushed or trashed . You need the right adhesive or attitude to begin the process of mending past hurts, failures and relationships in your life.

You need the patience or commitment to follow through and see it to the end. Nothing about God is tape or a quick fix. God is the Glue needed to live a full blessed life. He wants us to surrender it all, the brokeness, the mess, the taped things in your life. He desires to be permenant !

Beauty in the Brokenness

 When i am out thrifting i often buy items that are broken or missing parts. I do this because i see the beauty in brokenness. I think can i give it new life, can i bring beauty back ? There is hope in the brokenness even if it is something found at the goodwill, a retail store or in a person. 

We pass by items because we think we cannot fix or repair them. Maybe that’s not the need what if you can breathe new life into it , add something to enhance the beauty that is already there. Maybe your job is to give a chance to what others will not and show others what reaching out looks like and what beauty is in another chance.

How many times have we been counted out, over looked or just talked about ? How many times have you participated in the ridicule of others because of their short comings or failures? Do we take the time to see through the outer layers to find a great friend , do we take the time to listen to understand not just correct or put down? Do we take the time to see the beauty that is possible with a outstretched hand or a open heart.

There is beauty in brokenness if you are willing to look, reach out , offer a hand or just a kind word. I have many items that are beautiful additions to my collections and life only because i took the chance on what others wouldn’t.

  

 

The Christmas Village

 This Tablescape took me on journey when i saw it at #Walmart. Yes, i stood there looking at each plate with its separate picture telling one story. I saw a Village with a beautiful Christmas Tree covered in snow with deers grazing nearby. I can hear the whistle of the train as it approaches and the children stop and wave as it passes quickly by. There are Horses outside the barn neighing loudly as the train travels loudly down the tracks. I can imagine it’s close to Christmas time and families are arriving at the station to celebrate the holiday.

I am often asked how do you decide what items to buy or how do you come up with ideas for  tablescapes ? I think it is just my nature to see what others don’t. I see beyond the physical i see the possibilities. I think everything has a story or a lesson, a place setting for example can be just plates and other items on a table. But, what if you just took the time and used your imagination and  have an open mind to the what if’s

How often do we  miss out on things because we don't explore the what ifs. We pass by or ignore others because we judge to quickly or we make assumptions. Taking the time to ask questions or hold a conversation could make a difference in your life and others. By being open to new and different possibilities you open up a world full of endless opportunities to love and grow. Often the beauty is found in the unknown or unexpected. 

The next time you are out open your heart and eyes to all Gods beauty, live in the possibilities not the regrets of what if . 

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Worth and Value

WORTH = the value equivalent to that of someone or something under consideration; the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.

VALUE = they regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

When i am thrifting i am looking for beautiful items at a great price. I look at it’s structure for flaws or imperfections. I look at items that i feel have value and will be worth my purchase. I purchase items that please me visually or that speak to my soul. When purchasing items you bring them home and clean them up and further inspect for markings that will help you to find it’s value. 

How often to we do the same in life ? Do we take the time to connect or dig deeper to find out a persons true value or do we begin with what this person is worth to us and how and what can they do for me. Everything you do in life starts with a connection, interest or a desire. We must be willing to look for the true Value in a person , be able to look beneath the surface to see the heart and soul , be willing to invest time learning about the entire person. When this is done the true worth and value will be revealed

When i purchased these Flutes they were dirty, the goodwill placed a price on them according to what they thought they were worth. When i saw them i knew there was beauty and value in them and i was willing to take the time to uncover the true value.

Bringing them into my life and space required committment and a willingness to put in the work to research and find the value. This is the same concecpt that should be used when bringing people into your life committ to do the work, go through the process of digging and searching for the true beauty in them, be willing to look past the layers of past hurts and failures to reach the beauty and happiness they could bring to you.

Because i took a chance i found true value in the Flutes and i see many tablescapes ahead . Can you say you have taken a chance ,taken time or made the committment to bring light and beauty into your life or space?