The noun, rumination, means a deep considered thought about something.

Many houses in my neighborhood decorate the outside of their homes with Christmas lights. The size and types of light have changed over the years as technology has advanced.

My wife, Marilyn, and I have decorated the outside of our home since we moved into the house some 43 years ago. We line the outside of the house and our garage with multicolored C7 lights and have used the same types of lights since we first started doing this.

Our neighbors have long since used brighter lights making ours look a little dim in comparison. I suggested to Marilyn that maybe we should change them (although I did not really like that thought since I am an old sentimental man and like to use the same thing over and over again, reflecting on all the memories we have made with the lights shining upon us).

Marilyn noted the focal point of our decorations is the nativity set we place in the front yard. Its simplicity reflects the true meaning of Christmas and that is what is important, not the lights. 

So, I did not change the outside lights. As I thought about it, Mary and Joseph embraced this simplicity when there was no room for them in the Inn in Bethlehem.

There is beauty and something profound in its simplicity when we reflect upon it. 

By Deacon Tom Gryzbek