My favorite thing about my Christmas tree is actually the tree skirt underneath it. I got it at a fair trade market at Triennium Youth Conference when I was just out of college. I couldn't afford it, really, but I instantly fell in love with it. I looked at the detail, the intricately stitched nativity scene and surrounding life. I imagined the hands that crafted it, their family, their home. It was from Guatemala. At the time (don't judge, geography buffs) I could not even tell you where Guatemala was, and did not know that years later it would become a part of my very heart. Now, I don't have to imagine the hands, the family, the home. I can visualize it. Hear their voices. I know it. I love it, and so I love this dear little tree skirt even more now. Reflecting on it, it reminds me to take time for the details... to save room for the spirit... and to be fair.
In Guatemala, it seemed that there was always enough time. (Just pause and let that feeling soak in, North Americans.) Not that there actually was...but efficiency and productivity aren't valued more than creativity and quality. So, you get precious works of art of like this. Time for details.
It is also a reminder of what the season is really about. Here, I can't exactly smack a present right on top of baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary! It would be covering up the most beautiful part of my tree. But isn't that what happens so often with the consumerist craze of Christmas? We cover up what is truly beautiful about the season--the softening of our hearts to those in need, the importance and gift of family, and the presence of everyday miracles taking form in unexpected ways.
Save room for the spirit.
Finally, it's good to be fair. It's good that it made me (and my account balance) a little uncomfortable to have this prized possession, so that others could experience relative comfort. With that in mind, I want to fill surround this tree skirt with gifts that didn't just get me the most for the least amount of money possible, that don't just fill this strange gift 'quota' that we have created, but that will be treasured and will honor the spirit of this
beautiful,
gift-giving,
life-giving
season.
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