Decorations
Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
Exodus 31:1-5 NIV
What is art? It is not decoration. It is the re-living of experience.
Rebecca West
While some may say that decorating is a waste of time, energy, and money, I think not. Biblically, God often had people decorate Holy places and items. I believe that God knows that beauty brings us joy and helps us appreciate all life around us. We pause and ponder and savor the beauty that such decorations remind us of in nature, God’s gift of life. Our senses are reminded of not only the visual beauty around us, but the delights of other senses such as the taste of a crisp apple or a cold cup of apple cider. Or the smell of damp leaves in the forest or the first rain of autumn.
One of my favorite ways to celebrate the arrival of fall is by decorating my home and yard. Outside, splashes of fall colors with silk ferns and other plants to supplement bright colors in real plants. A fall wreath on the front door. Little straw stuffed mini-scarecrows and more. In October, I’ll add corn stalks, dried sunflower stalks, and colorful and unusual pumpkins and gourds. Inside my home, colorful leaf garlands, soft lighting, autumn touches everywhere. And let’s not forget candles wafting the pleasant aroma of apple, pumpkin, and cloves!
It doesn’t take a lot of money to decorate. Indeed, there were times in my life when a simple sheaf of autumn leaves plucked from a tree or gathered from the forest floor were my decorations for fall. A pumpkin grown in the garden, whether mine or a neighbors or a “bargain bin” selection. In days past, my then young children would create fall decorations with construction paper and paint. And many hobby stores offer decorations for pennies or neighbors share old decorations on websites or over the fence.
So, this autumn, add a few touches of the season to your home and celebrate the beauty of fall!
