Generally, I escape decorating hoopla each Christmas by using a small tree I can pick up with one hand, decorate in a few minutes and kazaam -  happy holidays on a stick.  I do enjoy visiting other homes to admire the lights and holiday cheer, and I appreciate all the hard work that goes into it. It’s fun to oooh and ahhhh over all the decorations and then go home, relax, and thank heaven I don’t have all that stuff to put away. The kids are grown and have families of their own, and I am happy to sit back and watch them create their own holiday traditions. 

I'm not a total curmudgeon when it comes to Christmas, however.  I'd like to approach the New Year thinking how I can make Jesus shine more beautiful.   The Bible gives me some clues.  I can do it by being a reflection of Him (II Corinthians 3:18 KJV), by being interested in others (Philippians 2:4 KJV), and showing loving submission in the Spirit of Christ (Ephesians 5:21 KJV). I can also be charitable, kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32 KJV). 

We are all called to make Jesus shine in our families, in our churches, and in the world - something to think about while we're untangling all those Christmas lights.