Our Christmas Tree

Our Raggedy Ann and Andy Decorated Christmas Tree:

Taken in our house that we built.
It is much clearer.


50's stuffed doll.

This is the smallest one, it is about 2 inches tall.

Handmade by a friend for DD in 1970

Other RRs and Gingerbread girl made by my mom.



The Christmas Tree- by my DH *D*

The earliest recollection that I have of Christmas was when I was three or four years old. Undoubtedly there must have been something special about that Christmas. I’ve had this memory for nearly sixty years and it always brings a smile when I think of it. As I recollect the event, our family lived in the old store building, at the top of the hill, in Crane City, our first year in the community. That old building had living quarters on the rear of the building where our family lived. Back in those days there was no such thing as a “bought” Christmas tree. You found a nice one out in the woods, as they were plentiful. Well, as I remember my Dad and my brother Jimmy had found a nice tree for our first Christmas in Crane City. However, there was a problem with the tree. It was too tall. I recall the effort to put the tree up, then returning it outside and the discussion that followed, about needing to cut the tree off. My Dad even took the ax and marked on the ground next to the tree the amount that needs to be removed. It was decided that the job would be completed after lunch. When Mother called, “Wash up”, everyone went inside….that is everyone except me. No need to wait for such a small job of shortening the tree. I picked up Dad’s ax and chopped right on the mark….the top of the tree came right off. I was so proud but a little confused as the tree was inspected after lunch. Something was said about cutting the bottom off the tree but I was sure that I had heard my Mother say, “The top was touching the ceiling”. Nothing had been said about the bottom being too tall. I have no memory of anyone scolding me or chastising me about my efforts. However, I never remember being around to assist in preparing the Christmas tree all the years that followed. Well who knows, maybe I have forgotten some of the details that followed for this insignificant bit of information to be retained in my memory. One thing that I do know, I smile the entire time that I wrote this article about my first memory of Christmas.

Bless your heart. Some people are obsessed with details while others are “laid back”, seemingly not disturbed by events of life. The truth of the matter is that there should be a balance of the two, with a large dose of humor added to life. HOWEVER you do not want to overlook the details of God’s requirement to be part of His Heavenly Family. It’s not that complicated; however it can be neglected. Remember the Baby in the manger is the reason for the season. Remember that the baby of Christmas was God in the flesh that grew into a man, lived a sinless life, died a cruel death on the cross as our substitute, and arose from the grave to be our eternal living Savior. The instructions are simple, “Whosever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Bless your heart. Don’t get confused about which end of the tree to cut of…just place your faith in the man Jesus who died on the tree. Christmas….that is what heaven is all about. You can’t spell Christmas without Christ. The beauty and joy of heaven will cause our earthly efforts to celebrate Christmas, too pale in comparison. Romans 10:9-13 copyrighted - please d0 not use for any purpose.