How Well Do Your Yard Decorations Reflect What You Think about the Meaning Christmas?

 

House Decorated with Light, © Barbara Radisavljevic

What Does Christmas Mean to you?

Some think it's only a season filled with lights, a season when people try to treat each other more kindly, a season when they give more than usual to others. Some see it primarily as a time to celebrate the coming of Christ to show earth's people what God is like and to save them from their sins. Some think it's simply a time to nurture family traditions. 

Those traditions often include decorating inside and out. It's when the family Christmas tree goes up inside and yard decorations go up outside. Those decorations may have secular or religious themes, mixed themes, or maybe no theme at all. Some families celebrate other holidays, such as Hanukkah, during the season and their yards will reflect that. 

I plan to explore some of these holiday decorating themes in photos I've taken over the years in my city of Paso Robles.  

Non-religious Yard Decor

Non-religious themes can be almost anything wintery or traditional with no religious overtones -- Santa, holly, candles, North Pole, snow, Christmas trees, snow people, reindeer, wreaths, and other such symbols. Light and color are the most important common ingredients. Here are some examples. 

Secular Christmas Decor, © Barbara Radisavljevic

The scene above has many of the traditional secular objects associated with Christmas: a snowman, presents, reindeer, Santa, and a Christmas tree. And, of course, there are lots of colorful lights.  

North Pole Theme, © Barbara Radisavljevic

Everyone knows Santa lives at the North Pole, but penguins don't. They live in more southern regions. You are, however, as likely to find penguins at the North Pole as you are to find Santa living there. Imagination can put them anywhere. So it was with the rest of this yard's very creative decorations. The entire display was too large and intricate to capture here, but it was secular and colorful. Below is another part of the display. 

Snowman Toy Train, © Barbara Radisavljevic

I showed more pictures of this decorated house after the 2015 showcase. Most yards aren't as lavish as the one above. It is located on Vine Street and was part of the Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase, a long established Paso Robles tradition. The last time I walked past this house with my camera, the front of it was torn apart for what I assumed was a remodel. 

The photos below are more typical of the secular displays I see. This one has a Disney theme. 

Disney Yard Decor for Christmas, © Barbara Radisavljevic

The simple reindeer below will be lighted at night. Nothing fancy, but they show this minimalist family wants to participate in the festivity without overdoing it. 

Reindeer to Celebrate the Winter Season, © Barbara Radisavljevic

Christian Yard Decor for Christmas

Most Christian yard decorations I saw were very simple, as is fitting. 

I love this one all in white. 

Outdoor White Nativity Scene, © Barbara Radisavljevic

This one in front of another home is a bit more colorful at night. During the day, it may only be heap of colored plastic on the ground. Read more on that at It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas -- at Least at Night.

Simple Inflated Nativity Scene, © Barbara Radisavljevic

The photo below was taken during the Paso Robles Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase. It was displayed on the property of the North County Christian Fellowship Church on Vine Street on December 19, 2011. 

This is an annual event. The houses and businesses on several blocks of Vine Street are decorated lavishly for the December showcase. Various organizations provide free food and drink or perform for those who are walking the street to see the decorated homes. There are even attractions such as snow slides, ice sculptors, dancers, bands, and choirs for those walking the street to see and hear. The biggest attraction is Scrooge's house. But he wasn't in it this year. Instead he was the parade along Vine Street in a vintage pickup, shouting at everyone. That part didn't change. You can see pictures of this year's event here. You will see Scrooge. 

Everything changed because of the Covid pandemic. In years past, the street has been blocked off and motor vehicles weren't permitted. This year it's been a drive-through event. And for the first time, it ran on two different Saturday nights instead of just one. 

But the spirit of Christmas hasn't hasn't changed. It is revealed in the scenes below. It's the news that God came to earth as a baby 2000 years ago. He didn't stay in the manger. He came to show us what God is like. He was born to die that we might live forever. Or as it says in the Gospel of John, 

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5, ESV

If you want to learn more, pick up a Bible and read the Gospel of John.  If you don't have a Bible, you can read this chapter or the entire Bible free online. 

Church Outdoor Nativity Scene, North County Christian Fellowship, © Barbara Radisavljevic

Many churches and organizations have living nativity displays outside on special days during the Christmas season. The one below was peopled by friends of the Morning Star Youth Ranch which rescues horses and mentors at-risk young people and their families. In these displays, both people and animals are live.

Morning Star Youth Ranch Living Nativity Scene, © Barbara Radisavljevic

Houses that mix  up their decorating themes

Some houses I've walked by make it hard to tell what they think about Christmas. That is especially true on one block in my neighborhood. Is this secular? Christian? Or just confused? I'm not sure what to make of it. Is that a rabbit where Jesus ought to be or do I need my eyes checked again?

Peanuts Christmas Yard Decoration, © Barbara Radisavljevic

 

When I moved here six years ago and starting walking the neighborhood before Christmas, this corner house displayed only three decorations. The above was one of them. I think the others were a snowman and a Santa.

 Since then the display has grown more each year. Today it's quite elaborate. There are so many decorations it's hard to focus on any of them. That's why I walked around it with my video camera this year. I wanted to show it from many different angles to get it all in. If you look really hard you may find the Peanuts decoration above at the back against the garage wall. 

Do you see a theme? 

Do you decorate your yard for Christmas? Do you prefer simple or elaborate displays in your own yard? What do you want your yard to say about the meaning of Christmas or whatever December holiday you celebrate?

The Greatest Gift

The Best Gifts Express the Heart of the Giver

God expressed his heart of love for mankind when he gave himself as the ultimate gift.

He saw hate and darkness and exploitation of the poor by the powerful. He saw lust and greed and abuse of power. He saw that those who were supposed to lead and guide his people were often abusing them for their own gain. But he had promised throughout the Old Testament to deliver them.

 Like many today, though, they didn't really understand what he meant. They expected a powerful warrior king who would deliver them from the Romans. They weren't expecting a babe who would grow up to deliver them from their sins. They weren't expecting the Light of the World to expose what was in their own hearts. That is why so many rejected the gift. They wanted to hold onto their sins -- not be delivered from them.

What is in Your Heart?

Today, wherever in the world you live, there may be fear in your heart. Many fear we are on the brink of the worst kind of war ever -- nuclear war. Many feel they are at the mercy of powerful interests and barbarian terrorists. Many wonder how peace is possible. They wonder what happened to the Prince of Peace they hear about during the Christmas season. 

The Prince of Peace is here. He came to bring peace to human hearts by offering himself in order to reconcile sinful humans to their holy and sinless God. He brings the gift of peace and reconciliation to all who confess the sin in their hearts and want new hearts. He offers the gift of new hearts that are inclined to love rather than hate their Creator. He offers forgiveness for sin and a peace that passes human understanding. 

Jesus said of himself: "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." He is both gift and giver. He forces himself on no one, but offers a relationship to all who want to walk through life with him. What you do with that gift is up to you.   

Today is Theme Day for City Daily Photo Bloggers. This month's theme is "Gift." See what other bloggers around the world posted to this theme. 

How Many Days of Christmas Will There Be?

Christmas in my Neighborhood, © B. Radisavljevic

We've all heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas -- in Christian tradition the period between the time Jesus was born and the time the Wise Men arrived to see him.   I'm wondering how many days Christmas will last in my own neighborhood.

I'm writing this on Christmas night and all the neighborhood Christmas decorations are still shining brightly, most having no relationship to either the birth of Jesus or the Wise Men. One of these scenes is pictured here. I'm wondering how long they will remain in front yards this year. I'll be watching and reporting. Meanwhile,  I enjoy  seeing the colorful lights as long as they last. How long do you think people should leave their Christmas decorations on display in their yards?

I hope you had a delightful Christmas Day, whether you celebrate Christmas or just a day off.

The True Light that Enlightens Every Man Has Come Into the World

Though there is much evil and darkness in today's world, there was plenty of evil in the world when Jesus was born, too.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....In  him was life,  and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness,  and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1: 4-5) The darkness tried to snuff out the life of Jesus when he was but a toddler, but it wasn't God's time yet. He needed to remain on earth until the purpose of his life here was fulfilled on Good Friday.

During his life on earth, Jesus had more enemies than  friends. Most of those he came to save from the darkness rejected him.  Those who were afraid he might try to establish a throne on earth and threaten the established religious and political powers made sure he was crucified. Death, though, could not hold him. He conquered it. The darkness could not overcome him then and it can't now. 

Still today, many do not receive him, and they still try to put out his light. "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born not of blood nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 12-13.) God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world,  but that the world might be saved  through him. (John 3:17)

If you haven't gotten to know Jesus yet, and you want to, just open a Bible to the book of John and take some time this Christmas to read it. It will show you the heart of God and how you can know him. That just might be the best present you will get in your life. If you already have received new life through Jesus, celebrate how it all began. Peace to you this Christmas season, no matter what else goes on in the world.

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The True Christmas Spirit Can Still Be Seen In My Neighborhood

The Real Christmas Spirit

Among all the inflatable Santas reindeer and snowmen, some in my neighborhood still remember why we have Christmas and their yard decorations show that Christmas spirit. Jesus came into the world to make peace with God possible. That peace was expensive and he gave his life that we might have it and be able to know God. It is only when we know and trust God we can have that peace.

A Neighborhood Nativity Scene

Jesus "is the image of the invisible God....For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to  himself all things, whether on   earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." Colossians 1: 15, 19-20.

The babe in the manger lay in the shadow of the cross.

Real Christmas Carols Tell the True Story

When I  think of Christmas, I can't imagine it without the Christmas carols that tell the Christmas story in music but I can't decide which is the best version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" to share with you here. I want the words to be understood. So I put them both here. I like the first one, by the Norman Luboff Choir best, but it's a medley of related carols and doesn't include all the verses. The second video is sung by Susan Boyle with a choir in the background. She makes all the verses of the old carol understandable. So take your choice or listen to both to prepare your spirit for Christmas.

Some of this music is available for download at Amazon. I have included another favorite album that contains this song for which there were no videos on You Tube. The links will take you to the album listings so you can see and sample what's on the albums. I like the Robert Shaw Chorale's A Festival of Carols, which includes most of the traditional carols which capture the true meaning of Christmas. You heard a sample from the Songs of Christmas album by the Norman Luboff Choir in the video. Susan Boyle mixes a few secular Christmas songs into her album Home for Christmas, which was featured in the video above. 

Have a wonderful Christmas!

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Exploring the Mission Cemetery at San Miguel

Cemeteries show when people lived and died. Headstones sometimes tell something about what a person was like or how he or she was remembered by family, friends, or acquaintances. They do not speak much of what happened between the dates of birth and death. This is the front entrance to the cemetery at Mission San Miguel. (If you want to enlarge a photo to see it in more detail. Just click it.)

As I entered the cemetery, one thing that struck me was now impersonal it seemed. It appears that those buried here have been long forgotten by living people except, maybe, as generalities. Probably mot have no living family nearby. Many graves are not even marked. It is rare to see flowers or any other sign these graves have been visited by anyone but tourists or, perhaps, church members.

One thing  that struck me as I walked past the stones was how barren the cemetery seems. There are green trees and shrubs, but no grass and very little color to be seen. I wonder if this ever was green, since I don't even see dead grass. As you can see in the background, some of the landscaping is cactus. The cactus was starting to bloom in the middle of May.

As I walked farther back it became evident that this part of the mission has not yet been fully repaired after the earthquake of 2003. It's natural that the church was the priority, and its restoration was finished in 2009 so that it could reopen. The cracked walls, however, add to the mood of desolation I felt as I walked through and wondered about the lives of those buried in this piece of ground.

Looming above everything else in the cemetery is the crucifix. Jesus knew what it was to suffer and die. It is said the Native Americans were mistreated at the missions. Probably many were. Some may have been forced to convert and some may have been kept confined within these walls against their will.

Jesus died for the salvation of all -- the priests and the converts alike -- for all had sinned in the sight of God, just as we have. The shadow of the cross falls on this ground -- a symbol that God's love covers a multitude of sins.

We in this generation judge those in ages past according to our own culture's standards. God will judge all justly according to what was in their hearts. That is something we who live today will never really know.

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