Bruce and I were married on August 31, 1968. We moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, because Bruce was stationed on the USS Shangri-la, an aircraft carrier stationed at Mayport Naval Base.

December in the Jacksonville area was unusually hot that year. It was to be my first Christmas in Florida, so we purchased a real Christmas tree and put ice cubes in the water in the tree stand to keep it alive. We also decided to put an angel on the top of our tree to start our own tradition. Both of us grew up in households where the tree topper had to be a star. We purchased our beautiful angel and prepared to spend Christmas in Florida. As it turned out, Bruce was unexpectedly discharged early as were many of his crew members just prior to Christmas. So we packed up all our belongings and drove back to New Jersey where we spent Christmas with our family.

Our angel has been displayed every year since but no longer sits on the top of our tree. She is either displayed in our wall unit or even on the tree but no longer on the top. We have gone full circle and now a star sits on the top of our Christmas tree as it did when we both grew up.

Kate Eelman

Prayer

Blessed Lord, we thank You that an angel announced good news to a shepherd and a brilliant star guided wise men to where You were. Both rightfully have a place on our Christmas trees. We get to choose year after year where that will be. Thank You for choosing us to be Your people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.