Friday, December 23, 2022

This Christmas, Celebrate Differently...

Friends, it’s been a challenging year for us, rife with illness and struggle, and now we’re wrapping up 2022 with a wicked bout of Covid. We’ve been sick for almost 3 weeks. To date, we’ve cancelled 8 different Christmas concerts. It’s hard to state the toll this has taken on us. 

Frankly, we’re just exhausted - vocally, physically, and emotionally.

So, we’ve decided to celebrate Christmas differently this year.


We’re keeping it simple. 

We’re choosing new priorities.

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is decorating, but the idea of getting a tree and hauling out the tinsel was just more than we could handle.

So, we did something different:

We’d like to share with you our Christmas Card Tree for 2022.

Four feet tall, doesn’t need water, and placed on a table high above the reach of our little puppy, Max.

Last week, my parents dropped by.

We pulled out curling ribbon, pinking shears, and last year’s Christmas cards

Over cups of espresso, we cut the cards into ornaments, and tied them on the tree with ribbon.

Coloured lights and our Victorian glass beads tied the whole look together.

Finally, we tucked our nativity under the tree, surrounded by my collection of angels.


In just a few hours, with a few snips of paper, our home transformed from everyday to extraordinary.

It started as a simple art project, but in the making it became so much more.

It’s covered in cards given to us by people we love.
It was created in an afternoon of laughter and family.
And it’s giving us light in our darkness - something we all need.

Friends, we know we’re not alone. It’s been a tough year for many of us.

If you’re struggling this Christmas, may we encourage you to celebrate differently:


Choose to do less.

Spend time with the people you love.

Find new ways to do things.

Spend a little extra time in prayer.

And however you choose to celebrate,
remember that whatever our personal circumstances,
the Reason for the Season never changes.

From our family to yours,
we wish you a peaceful, joy-filled & healthy Christmas!


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Please enjoy my Dad's Christmas message:

A "Way" in a "Lodge of Broken Bark"





6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Allison & Gerald - so sorry to hear of your recent battle with COVID, but all the same heartened by your message of hope & light in your new Christmas tree. I am reminded of a Christmas Eve prayer for all those who struggle with illness (both mental & physical) at this time of year:

"Let us pray for all who are anxious, depressed, or ill. Draw near to those who find this season a source of pain or grief, and to all who are suffering or sick, especially those we remember in our own hearts that they may feel the comfort of this holy night."

Wishing you many blessings.

Allison Lynn said...

Amen & thank you! Merry Christmas :)

Bonnie Green said...

So very sorry to hear that you both are still struggling with this Covid. But I must say your story and your beautiful meaningful tree brings smiles and hope for the future. Please get well soon but also keep your wonderful outlook. Thinking of you both and your Families. πŸ™πŸ™πŸŽ„πŸŽ„πŸ’•

Allison Lynn said...

Thank you so much, Bonnie! Merry Christmas <3

Anonymous said...

Celebrating differently this year too, my husband died on Dec.5th...

Allison Lynn said...

I'm so sorry to hear that! Lifting a prayer for peace for you...