There’s nothing quite like a quiet country Christmas, so that’s exactly how I decided to kick off this special week. A cabin in the woods of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, turned out to be a fantastic way to celebrate the season by soaking in the great outdoors. The smell of pine, fresh air, and the faint scent of a crackling fire make Christmas seem even more rich and wonderful. Since Christ was born in a small manger with no frills and barely shielded from the elements, being close to the outdoors reminds me of what an amazing ordeal Mary and Joseph must have gone through to birth their baby.
Another great thing about this retreat? The millions of stars at night! I went on a beautiful nature hike during the day and actually had a beautiful hot tub at our cabin to enjoy at night. I’d forgotten how bright the moon appears when city lights no longer obstruct the view. Every constellation seemed more spectacular from the warmth of the bubbling hot tub and clear night sky. It wasn’t “roughing it”, but it was at least a nice change from spending so much of my time inside. I wonder how often we are looking at the exact same stars the Wise Men saw as they followed the Star to baby Jesus.
Though we don’t always have the chance to go far, get away, or even spend much time outside this time of year, even just a half hour of sipping hot cocoa and sneaking a peek at the stars warms the heart in preparation for the holiday. May your next few days bring you comfort, peace, and joy as we celebrate! (And if you get hungry for a delicious Christmas treat, try making the chocolate bark I made in the video below!)
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