Good morning…
After a lifetime of searching for the biggest, widest Christmas tree every December – circling the tree farm, cutting our own – my husband and I decided to “go thin” this year. To be honest, we quietly grabbed the best tree we could find in Home Deposit’s 8 to 9 foot bin, at 8:30 pm last Friday night. Deciding to “go thin” equalled choosing to simplify.
Our choice reminded me of this fun Facebook post sent by a friend, a post highlight this year’s Christmas tree choice by author Sue Monk Kidd.
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Sue Monk Kidd on December 5
After a lifetime of having big tall Christmas trees, my husband and I decided to “go little” this year. At first, I was unsure about it. I didn’t want it to feel like we were downsizing Christmas. But going little can make room for more time, more simplicity, more peace, more energy, more spaciousness, more breathing room. Less can be more. (I know, sometimes more is more when it comes to Christmas trees— I get it. There are plenty of other ways to “go little” at Christmas.)
So, here is our little bird tree. In her poem, “I Happened to be Standing,” Mary Oliver wrote, “But I thought, of the wren’s singing, what could this be if it isn’t a prayer.”
I find the poetic notion of birdsong as a prayer enchanting. What surprised me is that scientifically the effect it has on our human brains is actually quite prayer-like. Multiple studies show that birdsong significantly lowers stress, improves mood, calms anxiety, and rejuvenates mental clarity. This is because it offers subtle cues that signal safety and well-being. Evolution taught humans over thousands of years that when birds sing, the environment is safe—no predators, danger, or storms. When birds become hushed, it’s time to worry.
This holiday season has gained a reputation for being the “season of overwhelm.” Chronic stress has long-term effects on everyone’s health. For those of us with Parkinson’s, too much stress worsens symptoms. Which is why we found at least one way to “go little” and why we adorned our tree with reminders to listen to the birds “praying.”
Peace be with you.
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Some seasons present challenges that help us “go thin” and “go little.” Health issues. Financial concerns. Relational struggles. Season of life changes. Spiritual awakenings. “Thin” and “little” times are not better or worse then the “big” and “wide” times. Each opportunity forms a different song in our hearts, a fresh prayer on our lips to the God who leads us through every season of our ordinary lives.
Take a good look at God’s work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles to a plain straight line?
On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14, MSG).
…Sue…
P.S. There are definitely benefits to deciding to “go thin.” Along with a very easy set up for my husband and me, our 12 year old dog Gracie has found a new favorite spot, beside our kids’ handprints on our tree skirt homemade in 2001. In 2001, our four kids were 6 months old, two, four, and six years old. Our Christmas tree was definitely “big and wide” back then. I miss those days and I love these too. This year’s decision to “go thin” offers space to notice the sweet song rising up, more time, more simplicity, more peace, more energy, more spaciousness, more breathing room.
Take a good look at God’s work.
