I am blessed, and I was reminded of that in a big way last night.  For Tina and me, putting up this year’s Christmas tree has been in stages.  Bought the tree Monday night, put the lights on Tuesday night, and got the ornaments hung last night.  Those ornaments.  They really take me back.  There are the three we bought on our honeymoon that are spending their 42nd Christmas on our tree.  The “Baby’s First Christmas” ones for each of the children.  The one with our grandson’s little handprint.  The ones from special places visited, from friends, and even a few from foreign countries given by traveling family.  Honestly, over half of what we put on the tree carries memories for me.  The first Christmases as a married couple, the chaos of decorating with small children, the squeezing of decorating time in between high schoolers’ ball games.  Then the diminishing decorating work force as the kids moved on to their own homes.  Now here we are again, just Tina and me, and it’s ok.  In fact, it’s good.  Yes, my trip down the ornament-paved memory lane last night was quite enjoyable, especially when I sent a picture of the tree to the kids, and we got into a long text thread about some of those ornaments they recognized.  Part of the Christmas story in Luke says that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart,” and that’s kind of what last night was for me.  A refreshing time of pondering.  But enough about that; thanks for indulging my rambling.  I trust that this Christmas season will bring you precious moments of remembering and giving praise to the Lord.  No, not all Christmas memories may be good, but the One whom we celebrate always is.  Consider Him this Christmas season.  Keep Him as the centerpiece of all you do.  Maintain your “pondering” mainly on Him and what He has done for you and how He has carried you through the years.  “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!”