A fine, feathered nest created by an anonymous bird artist decorates our Christmas tree this season. I found this architectural marvel last summer in the cemetery where my grandparents are buried. It is an eclectic combination of organic recycled materials with a touch of whimsy. The bird that created this home had an eye for design and flair as well as function.
Our tree is a perfectly shaped pine – except for a gaping hole on one side. That flaw turned out to be the perfect place to nestle this piece of art, a woven mass of twigs, fibers of straw and grass with feathers and fluff for comfort and colorful tatters of cloth for a designer touch.
A bird’s nest in your Christmas tree is a rare find unless your tree is the artificial species and you placed the nest there instead of a bird. But if your tree is live, cut from a field or tree farm, finding a real nest created by a real bird is a symbol of the best Christmas luck according to ancient legends. Shaped in the form of a wreath or circle, a nest can also symbolize God’s eternal love.
I added three craft eggs spray-painted gold to the nest and a bright red cardinal ornament to watch over them. Following tradition, the eggs represent my wishes for my family in the coming year: health, wealth and happiness.
Happy New Year!
