L’Arche Christmas Tree

Well, now that we’re living back in the city, there is no longer a farm down the road where we cut our tree.  So, instead we drove down the street to the grocery store parking lot, and picked up a little Oregon-grown table-top tree from L’Arche – a wonderful organization that provides community for the developmentally disabled. (Anyone else out there a Henri Nouwen admirer?) 

We always do a table-top tree, because we have few ornaments, it’s easier with little grabby-hands babies around, and we go to Grandma’s house for Christmas, where she has a HUGE glittering tree. 

(I couldn’t get my oldest to stop eating her candy cane long enough to get a good picture!  Also, we had the pleasure of having our little niece with us for the day, in case you’re wondering.  I still only have 3 kids!)

 

Over the next several days, we will put the tree up in stages – the first day it is always left bare in its little stand.  The second day, the lights go up.  The third, the popcorn and cranberries are strung, and the paper chains put up.  The fourth, we decorate – usually the girls have a friend or two over, we listen to Christmas music, drink hot cocoa and eat cookies, decorate the tree, and watch a Charlie Brown Christmas.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to share some of that over the next few days.