Every Christmas, Michelle and I say we are going to get rid of decorations, not put up as much and try to downsize. Every year, we manage to get most of the decorations up and manage to get rid of only a handful of things. Michelle would tell you that it’s all my fault and she’s totally right. I’m overly obsessive about a lot of things.

We got most of the upstairs decorated and are still planning on putting up the tree in the family room. We wonder sometimes why we do it. We don’t plan on having a large number of folks in our house over the holidays, nor do we have much pressure from our kids for a family room tree. Still, there seems to be some reason for putting it up. So, we plan to.

A few things still linger behind in a tub in the garage, ready to be placed somewhere in the house.

Among them is the nativity scene and figurines we inherited from my grandmother.

The crèche is one I remember from my childhood. The stable was purchased for my grandmother by her oldest son when he was living in Germany. At one time, it had a wind-up music box which played “Silent Night.” The figurines are lightweight but detailed and you can still see where my grandma glued the donkey’s legs back on after he was involved in some unfortunate accident during the off-season. Lots of memories are attached to it.

On a trip through the garage the other day, I scooped up the little thatched roofed stable and brought it in the house. I stood in the middle of the living room, wondering where we should set it up. Dining room? No, the buffet is already too crowded.  Living room under the tree?  No, not good for curious toddlers who frequently visit our house.  Kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms? No, too weird.

Maybe the family room? Yes, maybe.

I’m a little ashamed that we put so much importance on the blow-up snowman out front, the garland around the doors, the tree, and all the little lights here and there. What should be the most important decoration in the house was sitting in the garage, waiting to be put out.

Sure, I could be accused of being a little too dramatic. But I can’t help but think how our failure to find a suitable space in our house for the nativity scene is a commentary on our own lives and how we seldom find time for God. I can point the finger at myself without judging any of you. It is a constant daily struggle.

We were created for fellowship with God. When things go wrong in our lives, we are supposed to lean on Him and find our peace in Him. Although He did not command it, we are supposed to read our Bible and spend time each day learning and praying. Again, it’s not commanded or in the Bible, but how do you build a relationship with someone? Getting to know God can be done through reading scripture and praying.

Jesus often waits for us to find a place for him. He has often “waited in the garage” for us to find a place for Him. I can tell you that right now, He is still waiting. Although I spent a little time praying this morning, I haven’t had a good sit-down time with Him, nor have I read a great amount of scripture. It might be fitting that I bundle up and sit in the cold garage while I read for a lengthy amount of time. Symbolic.

The more I think about it, the more I think I’ll make an executive decision and remove a few things from the house. There are plenty of things that can be removed so that the little stable and figurines can be displayed in a proper place.

Yes, I  need to make room.