In the midst of Thanksgiving hoopla we have sure been missing Claire. I worked my tail off to send off her Christmas package before the holidays ramped up. And it was hard. Seriously, is anyone else out there with me in being so perplexed about what to send in a missionary Christmas package? I mean, how in heaven’s name do you send your whole heart to your missionary out serving in some other part of the world? When you can’t even hug her? As I thought through this, realizing Claire will be near the end of her mission at Christmas, I decided to focus on what’s most important: Jesus. So I made her a Jesus-themed Christmas tree out of paper.
I mean, that’s what Christmas is all about anyway, right? (The Jesus part, not the paper part of course:)
Yes, a paper Christmas tree is a tad bit cheesy and I promise I sent other things too. But I’m hoping she can tape this tree up on her wall and have her apartment feel a little more like Christmas when she’s so far away.
And plus, I guess I’m kind of a sucker for paper trees…
Ha!
But really, I hope she knows how much I love Jesus.
How to make a Jesus-themed Christmas tree
I shared this tree on Instagram and had a lot of questions as to how I made it. So I figured I’d share here… it’s not complicated!
I started with taping together two lengths of green butcher paper (to make it wider), and cut out the shape.
Cut ornaments (traced a circle with a large cup, and cut out easy-peasy).
I wrote names of Jesus on the front of each ornament, and put the scripture references on the back so she and her companion can look up those scriptures maybe for companionship study on the days leading up to Christmas:
But my favorite part was using my friend Eva Timothy’s “Promises” artwork to list God’s beautiful promises to her in gold around the edges.
I was a little teary writing those down. Feeling so much love from God and how He “reaches my reaching” as well as my childrens’ if we will only be still enough to notice.
I just cut the trunk out of construction paper and added our family favorites:
“Good Timber” and part of Helaman 5:12 that my dear mother has had every grandkid memorize at Grammie Camp. Any time anyone quotes this scripture, all grandkids follow along, whispering from their own hearts. I love that with all my heart.
I hope she can feel that heart of mine wrapped up tight and reaching out to her in all these small tokens of love I sent her way.
But more importantly, I hope she can feel God’s love as she seeks to celebrate the birth of that tiny baby in that manger all those years ago.
I’m sure she will feel the love of the Savior and of course from her family! Shawni you have such a beautiful way to write your thoughts! May you find peace and calm in the midst of the busy Christmas season.
I listened to your podcast about missions. Especially interesting to hear your reactions as parents to your kids decisions. Thanks for being so honest – we never stop growing, even adults with adult kids!
These heartfelt instructions on how to create a Jesus themed Christmas tree out of paper bring a unique creativity to your Christmas decorations.