Oh, Christmas Tree! December Desktop Calendar

The Christmas Tree is a longstanding tradition of Advent. It is fun to decorate, it smells great and definitely helps most people get in the holiday mood. But every tradition has a story... and this one does, too. Just Google "Christmas tree" and plenty of results will come up. Here's one I dug up today:

The first first person to bring a Christmas Tree into a house, in the way we know it today, may have been the 16th century German preacher Martin Luther. A story is told that, one night before Christmas, he was walking through the forest and looked up to see the stars shining through the tree branches. It was so beautiful, that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas.

Whether it's true or not, I like the imagery and symbolism. Obviously, the evergreen tree is an easy connection to make with the birth of our Lord Jesus who came to give us everlasting life.  Not only that, but the Bible makes several mentions of trees as metaphors: Christ is called the "root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:10) and the New Testament speaks of Gentiles being adopted into the family of Christ as a branch is grafted to a tree (Romans 11:19). The Christmas Tree -- although it may have begun as a pagan tradition -- is a poignant reminder of these biblical truths and also a great example of how all created things point to the glory of God. Even something as simple and earthy as a fir tree gussied up with silver and gold can remind us of the astounding gift we received in Christ when He came to earth, and foretells the time when we shall have life everlasting and walk on streets of gold with Him.

 With those thoughts in mind, I offer you the final desktop calendars of 2015... double designs for the last month of the year!

1024x768

1280x1024

1920x1200

1920x1080

 iPad

iPhone

Illustrations by Freepik

Fabulous February Calendar

It's a day late, but here's my February Desktop Calendar. Enjoy!

(1024x768)

(1280x1024)

(1920x1080)

(1920x1200)

(iPad/tablet)

(iPhone)

New Beginnings: 2015

I love fresh starts. I'm pretty sure that's why morning is my favorite time of day: the start of something new, a clean slate filled with possibilities and opportunities. Every new day is worth celebrating, especially as we remember that the sins of our past (and future) have been washed clean and, because of Christ, we are a new creation with the opportunity to start each day afresh living in obedience to Him.

As a reminder of that, and as part of the Desktop Calendar Project that I'm starting for 2015, I'd like to share my very first Desktop Calendar for January. Download this fun freebie and enjoy it on your desktop, tablet or phone with my best wishes for a New Year full of love, laughter and adventure!

January 2015 Desktop Calendar

 1024x768 | 1280x1024 | 1920x1020 | 1920x1200

Mobile | Tablet

Right click link to download and 'Save as...'

Design Board: Rustic French Guest Bedroom

Objects can be so inspiring. A perusal of the Pier1 website gave me some fodder for a quick inspiration board: "Rustic French Guest Bedroom"

This isn't altogether rustic, nor altogether French.... really just a few different accents from each, and I couldn't think of a better title. Most of these items are sourced from Pier1; the duvet set and head board from Target. LOVE that lamp in a pale lime.... and it's on sale! Might just have to get that one right away.

I'd hang an atmospheric landscape over the bed (a la William McCarthy) and voila! the perfect haven for out-of-town guests. Maybe someday this will be a reality.... Guess you'll have to be our guests to find out ;)