creativity

1001 Drawings #347, Dreaming of a White Christmas

| Whitt’s End Art

Growing up I don’t remember being that much concerned about having a white Christmas. In fact snow on Christmas only meant Santa would have an easier time gliding to a smooth landing. In my adult years snow on Christmas just meant a tougher commute to family and friends during the holidays. Still I hear stirrings of people wishing for snow because they want a white Christmas. Personally I don’t understand the appeal of the white stuff but if you’re a snow buff I hope you get your white Christmas.

1001 Drawings #346, The Season for Giving

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Christmas is the time we celebrate what God to us by giving back to others. The problem is that at this time of the year so many non profits are seeking our money and or time that it is hard to pick which ones to give our money. The only advice I can give is to pray and ask God where He wants you to help. The focus on that charity or organization.

1001 Drawings #343, What’s Up With The Mistletoe 

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Mistletoe, what is it and where did it come from? Each year we hang mistletoe so we can catch a kiss from some unsuspecting soul who happens to stand under the plant but does anyone know where the tradition comes from? Mistletoe is a parasitic plant which owes it’s life to the whichever trees it attaches itself. The tradition of stealing a kiss under the mistletoe dates back to old Nordic traditions. From there it gained it’s way to the United States from the 18th Century British servants who carried it across the ocean. Now loves blossoms under the mistletoe.

I think it as a Christian it is important for us to know where the traditions we have at Christmas time started. God us wants us to be in the world but not of the world so we have to be careful how and what we choose to use in our homes when we decorate.

1001 Drawings #341, Christmas Through The Eyes of The Beholder

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Our view of Christmas changes as we age. As a child we see the magic of Christmas all around us as we eagerly await the arrival of Santa. As we age we learn the truth of the red suited one but still know feel the joy of the season. As we enter adulthood our view of Christmas starts to change because of the hustle and bustle of the holiday.

Then one day we become parents and start to see the magic of Christmas through our children’s eyes. That is until they grow up and leave the nest but then they have children of their own. So then in grandparent mode the cycle begins a third time as we see Christmas through our grandchildren’s eyes.

We also learn as we grow that the magic of Christmas is not found in the getting but in the giving to one and all, not in gifts but in joy.

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Drawings #340, Just Elven Around…

| Whitt’s End Art

If you haven’t guessed by now I am embroiled in 25 days of Christmas themed drawings. The latest of these drawings is an elf. There are many aspects of Christmas which while not a part of the true Christmas story are part of our cultural Christmas season. The problem we have as Christians is not forgetting the truth of Christmas as we sometimes get wrapped up in all the other trappings of the holiday season, the shopping, the glitter, the shopping, the packed malls and stores among others.

1001 Drawings #339, Look At All the Christmas Lights

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One of my favorite funny songs of the Christmas season is, “The 12 Pains of Christmas.” It is a song about all the things which can wrong at this time of the years. One of them is stringing up the Christmas lights. If you’ve ever done it before you know what I’m talking about. The lights can be all tangled together or in the old days when one light went out the rest would go out. Today however most Christmas lights are made to stay on when one of them isn’t working. This goes a long way to insuring that the light will still shine no matter what.

I think our life is like the Christmas lights. There are times when our life is a tangled up mess that has to be unraveled. Once that is done even though one bulb may be out but because of the Holy Spirit inside us our light from the faith we have in God still shines forth for all to see.

1001 Drawings #338, A Little Girl and Her Snowman

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Growing up I used to love the winter because it meant we might have a white Christmas. Now snow is just one more thing I have to clean up and shovel.  Another fond memory from my childhood was building a showman. Next to my childhood home was a big field which provided plenty of snow in order for my friends and I to try and build the biggest snowman around. Many times we succeeded, but a few times we didn’t. The fun was in trying. After our toil we would sit or lay around enjoying our fruit of our labor.

My snowman making days are far behind me but the thrill of creating is still alive and well. There is something about seeing the fruit of what God does through the talent He has given me. There are times however some creations don’t turn out the way I expected but I now in the end since God was involved I can look back and enjoy.

1001 Drawings #337, Did the Angels Weep?

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I often use random drawing prompts in order to pick something to draw. the prompt for today was…angel. The drawing part of these prompts is easy but coming up wit a message…well…lets just say…that is more difficult. Well the subject of angels and the season got me to thinking. Did the angels weep out of sadness or for joy on the night Jesus was born.

I mean after all Isaiah records in versus 33:7, “Behold, their heroes cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly…” According to some Bible commentaries I have read the envoys of peace mentioned in the verse are angels. The angels wept bitterly over the state of the city of Jerusalem. So though the Bible doesn’t mention I’ve often wondered of the tears which may have been shed during the birth of Jesus.

1001 Drawings #336, Homage To The Christmas Tree

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Ever since I can remember my home has been decorated with lights and has had a Christmas tree. The origin of the Christmas tree as it now stands is tied in part to some Non-Christian traditions and has gone through many incarnations over the years. If you would like to read more about those traditions in order to make up your own mind about the Christmas tree check out this article on History.com. While the Christmas tree may be to some not a true representation of the spirit of this season and the birth of Jesus it is still a part of many a Christian’s home.