I walked into Starbucks this past Sunday, and the red cups were out... a sure sign that the Christmas Season has begun. I make a big deal out of that every year, and as my good friend Laurie Johnson said last year... "it's the little things in life." It really is. I mean red cups? What is special about that? Well, the Starbucks slogan for this year sums it up... "It only happens ONCE a year." Yes, I know that I am a slave to the corporate machine... but cut me some slack on that. This post isn't meant to highlight Starbucks... but rather to state that I enjoy this time of year very much.
This morning, I was in Starbucks... with my red cup of coffee... reading Proverbs. (no, I was not posing Greg). It is finally cold outside... so the coffee served the purpose of warming me up (in addition to meeting my addiction fix). Fewer things are more enjoyable to me than a good cup of coffee and reading God's Word.
And to continue with the little things in my day... I have begun playing Christmas music in my office. Today is Harry Connick Jr.
Of course, all these little things only serve as lagniappe as compared to the real reason for the joy of Christmas - that being the birth of Jesus Christ. I was talking with a friend of mine earlier this week, and we decided that God is amazingly subtle. Specifically, we were talking about the compilation and preservation of the Bible over the years... and how strikingly subtle He was in those two issues. And I rasied the point that He speaks in the "still small voice" (see 1 Kings 19:11)... and then when we look at how He chose to have our Savior enter this world... it is remarkably subtle and low key. See... it really is the little things in life that truly make the difference. A Baby born in a dirty stable... Who is at the same time the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Who knew?
So now you need to respond with your favorite "little things" about this time of year. (and they don't have to be spiritual...)
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11 comments:
I love the way my aunt wraps her Christmas presents. She always includes a small tree ornament tied up with the package's bow. It's just a little something extra that makes the wrapped present seem a little bit more special...and it gives people a tree ornament to remember you by in the future (when they've long forgotten what present you gave them).
Excellent usage of 'lagniappe', by the way.
This is definitely my favorite time of the year which means there are lots of "little things" that I notice. But one of the greatest things is the smells of Christmas. When it gets cold outside there is a different smell in the air, the stores smell like spices and pine, my parents' house smells like cake and cranberries, my aunt's house smells like cider. Everything smells better at Christmas!
Hey Todd,
Meg just now sent me your blog-site address. And now you have ours.
Snickerdoodles. They were baking them at lunch today. So Christmas.
I think I am going to grab a Snickerdoodle after work and head over to Starbuck's, grab some coffee, and sit there with my Bible to see if anyone notices me! I SO WANT TO JUST BE SEEN!
BTW, I heart the usage of lagniappe.
I love all of the old Christmas shows: Charlie Brown, It's a wonderful life, and of course--the greatest ever--A Christmas Story w/Peter Billingsly.
Christmas Story is by far the best Christmas film made... followed closely by Elf.
Ah...it's the food!! Especially the pecan pie. It's the only time of the year mom makes them in multiples. My mouth is watering just thinking about it =)
Grinches and Scrooges.
:)
So many little things I love this time of year... crisp, cold air... the smell of a fire burning in the fireplace (even if you do have to turn on the A/C to have a fire here in Houston)... Christmas music... curling up with a nice warm blanket... (aahh... I will be smiling for the rest of the afternoon...)
You also have the coolest friends (i.e. Laurie)...one that buys you you're very own "little red cup" to keep forever. That was the best compliment - to say you were trying to decide if it should go home on your parents tree, or be on the tree at your house. We can all relate.
It is currently on a shelf in my room (which is where it will stay when it is not hanging on a tree.
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