Lana Gates
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Gulliver's Travels

Wrapped with a Bow

12/23/2022

8 Comments

 
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It took all of 10 minutes to put away our 2-foot Christmas tree and decorations at the end of the season last year. Although thrilled at the bargain I got on decor at Goodwill, a yearn nagged at me. I wanted a nativity scene to go with the other trimmings. After all, Jesus is the true reason for the season.

As Christmas approached, I began scrutinizing the yuletide decorations at every Goodwill I came across. Ideally, our nativity scene would include a wooden stable, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manger. What I found, although wooden, lacked a stable and manger, but It did include Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. 

We purchased the piece with the thought that we could replace it if we found a better option. But this simple nativity scene kept growing on me. It included the star that led the shepherds to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king, an important part of the story. 

Perhaps more significantly, it was wrapped with a bow, symbolizing the gift of God’s love in sending his son to Earth as a baby. That baby would grow and mature and point others to God the father, then suffer death and rise from the grave — all so we could live eternally. A true gift indeed. 

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A Different Christmas

In our tiny home, Christmas tends to be a time of clutter. Our rig rapidly fills with Amazon packages, gifts and cards, giftwrap, empty boxes for wrapping presents, special foods for get-togethers, and more. We have to find areas to stash gifts we don’t want each other to see, as well as all the extra items that make their way into the rig.

Our portable Mr. Heater propane heater* comes out of storage and takes a prominent place in our main living area to keep us warm on chilly mornings and cool nights. Rather than rehanging our jackets after every use, we drape them over dining room chairs or an arm of the couch.

If overnight travel is involved (as is often the case since we have a safe place to leave Tagalong and our wedding anniversary is Dec. 29), it might mean getting our suitcases down from the loft. And that means moving all the Christmas gifts out of the way to get to the suitcases, and then replacing the gifts. It’s a juggling act.

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Despite all the inconveniences and distractions this time brings to tiny home dwellers, it brings a lot of blessings too. Change and excitement fill the air. Christmas lights adorn our rig and those of our neighbors. Kindness emanates from our fellow RVers. We get to spend the holidays with family and friends, even if we can’t host them like we used to. 

Although our Christmas looks different than it did when we had a sticks-and-bricks home, it’s still a time of celebration, appreciation, and reflection. We may not have a lot of room, but there wasn’t much room in the inn where Jesus was born either. Thankfully, that didn’t keep God from sending the gift of Christmas wrapped with a bow. 

You might also like Holiday Reflections from an RV.

* As Amazon affiliates, we earn from qualifying purchases.
8 Comments
Susan Magestro link
12/24/2022 08:18:50 am

Lana, this is beautiful. I felt like I was right there with you and Bob and could envision this lovely new light. Reading your travel blog is a joy, I adore following your travels. Enjoy! Enjoy! my friend-God has truly blessed us.
Warmest of Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season
Sue

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Greg Rothe
12/24/2022 10:19:41 am

Merry Christmas to you and Bob. Celebrate the reason for the Season! 🌴

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Marianne Oepping
12/24/2022 11:09:14 am

I love your Nativity! Have a beautiful holiday, safe travels and we will see you in 2023. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Kelly R
12/24/2022 01:13:00 pm

I love the mindfulness of the bow wrapped around your simple nativity…I would have missed that subtlety. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with us all year, Lana. Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary to you and Bob!
Love,
Jim & Kelly

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Wendy call
12/24/2022 01:59:13 pm

I love this! Thank you for the reminder of the Season. What a simple but lovely nativity you found. I'm always trying to find the simplicity of the season and avoid the chaos. The simple things make this season more special. Wishing you and Bob a Merry Christmas!

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Mom
12/24/2022 05:21:55 pm

Loved this blog. Your manger scene is really cute and just right for an RV. Merry Christmas! Love you guys,🎄🎄🎄

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Margot D'Souza
12/27/2022 08:04:51 am

I always look forward to reading your blog. May God continue to keep you safe on your travels and use you to bless those around you!

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Betty Schoen
12/27/2022 09:02:31 am

Hello to you both, and Merry Christmas! I love your simple decorations, although I sure enjoy having 2 trees at home to go along with my penchant for Nutcrackers and penguins... I also love being able to gift family and friends, even strangers, at this time of year. For me, it's all about the love and kindness (a theme in the Bible story) that each one of us can show to fellow humans, and making the most of your circumstances to share as you are able. I send my love to you, and am grateful for your blogs that give me such joy to read. Glad you are recovered from your procedure, and I look forward to your future posts. xoxoxoxox

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    This is the travel blog of full-time RVers Bob and Lana Gates and our truck, Gulliver, and fifth wheel, Tagalong. 

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