I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day yesterday. It had snowed--just a dusting--when I got up yesterday morning about 5:30. But then it started to snow again and snowed all day long. We had six inches of white Christmas.
And I'm not ready for it to be over yet.
The other day when I was out doing some last-minute Christmas errands at Target I noticed that there was already some Valentine's stuff out. Yep. Valentine's, which isn't until February 14 the last time I checked.
Somehow as a culture we've lost the ability to celebrate the season we're in. Before school is out, back to school supplies are for sale. In the middle of summer we're getting ready for Halloween, before September's over the Christmas stuff is up, and by the time Christmas rolls around, we're already planning for Valentine's. I'm sure that by the time February begins, it'll be time to think about Easter.
I woke up this morning, feeling a little blue that Christmas is over already. But then I stopped to remind myself that it's NOT over. Christmas day--December 25--is past. But the season of Christmas is still right now.
Maybe I'm reminded of this because the Advent devotional I've been reading goes through January 7--the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The twelve days AFTER Christmas that lead up to Epiphany, when we celebrate the visit of the Magi to Jesus.
It's a little crazy, this putting Christmas away--literally and figuratively--the day after Christmas Day. It's over and done with, time to move on to whatever's next.
Christ is born--it may be the end of waiting, but it's only the beginning. This is when life begins. I can't imagine Mary and Joseph waking up the next day, thinking, Well, that's over and done with. Let's get back to life in Nazareth. There's no way Mary climbed back up on that donkey for a three-day journey home the morning after having a baby!
I remember when my girls were born. By the time they were delivered, I was ready for pregnancy to be finished. But it was just the beginning. And I needed some time to adjust, to refocus, to just marvel at the beauty of a baby.
And just like then, I'm feeling the need to sit still awhile, to gaze at the child, to reflect on what this new birth means to me. I need some time to adjust, to worship, to ponder these things and treasure them in my heart.
I want to cocoon a little. To stay at home, to venture out as little as possible. I want to give myself time to celebrate and know this Jesus who has been born again this Christmas.
And so I'm not going to stop playing Christmas carols just because December 25 has been marked off the calendar. I'm not going to put away the decorations just yet or take down the tree with its sparkling lights. Instead I'm going to sit awhile in that light and rejoice that Light has indeed come into the world.
I'm with you! I have friends who take their tree down on December 26th...ready to resume "normal" life. I personally love the lights, decorations, and Christmas season.
How sad that our culture can't be happy to sit still & celebrate where we ARE instead of where we're headed next.
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | December 26, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Amen! I echo your sentiments.
Posted by: Holly Bloemhof | December 26, 2007 at 09:02 AM
My heart feels the same as yours. I feel like the days after Christmas are for reflection, gratitude, and yes....wonder. I, too will have my Christmas music continue and my decorations out for awhile. Thank you for this reminder to rest in Him and what it truly means. Love
Jennifer
PS...I was also at Target a few days ago and saw the Valentine M&M's! I LOVE this holiday because it is my daughter's birhtday....but NOT yet....OH MY!!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | December 26, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Thank you for the reminder. My daughter woke up this morning sad that it was over. I have already been feeling anxious to begin putting the gifts away and removing the decorations. I think that instead I will make a cup of cocoa and read awhile. I am glad you knocked some sense into me!!
Posted by: Queen B | December 26, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Wow! Thank you so much for the wake-up call. My anal-retentive, anxious nature has me feeling antsy today. But, you've reminded me that it is ok to sit back, enjoy the season and remember that we can celebrate all year long. Christ is the BEST part of our lives and thank goodness he made the sacrifices he made for us. So, instead, I will light a fire, stare at my twinkling lights and here "Away in a Manger" played from my son's Little People's Nativity set.
Posted by: Amy @ By His Grace | December 26, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Thanks so much for posting this. I woke up feeling blue, too. Christmas this year was even more wonderful than in the past, filled with family and laughter and love and I hate feeling like since the gifts are unwrapped it's somehow *over* but you're right, the spirit truly lasts all year.
all the best!
Posted by: Violet | December 26, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Me, too, friend! Me, too!
I love Christmas and the time of celebration. I love taking the time to do things together as a family. I hope we celebrate each day like that in the new year!
Enjoy your time, reflecting and refreshing!
Much love to you,
Holly
Posted by: Holly Smith | December 26, 2007 at 03:13 PM
I wrote a similar post today. It was so nice to see someone else feels the same :)
Posted by: Jennifer Rosson | December 26, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Hey Darlin'!
I was just thinking about this yesterday as we wandered around the Disney parks...all of the decorations are still up, the Christmas music is still playing and folks are still wishing each other Merry Christmas and now adding Have a Happy New Year!
I am loving hanging onto Christmas a little longer.
Although I have to tell you that high 70's and sun, shorts & tees doesn't seem much like Christmas! I am jealous of your white Christmas.
And I loved the advent devotional you mentioned...adding it to my wish list. Clearly, I am unable to go cold turkey...so I think I will need to work out a deal where I allow myself one book a month (my brain and fingers wanted to type one book a week!).
Love you!
Susan
Posted by: Susan | December 27, 2007 at 06:33 AM
I agree. I am a leave 'em up a while gal. I figure if the City & County building is going to have them on during the Stock Show, so should I. :) I like the warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas...there is no other holiday that compares.
Many blessings to ya.
Posted by: Kate | December 27, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Timely post. Thank you! Though I've been a church-goer since my teens I didn't actually know Jan 6th was the day the wise men arrived! I went to the Midnight Service and our minister was explaining why he wouldn't take the church tree down till then. I usually get rid of mine on New Year's Day as I can't stand the mess, but it is good to be mindful of the meaning of all the special days after Christmas Day. (Though, being in Melbourne, where it's summer, we get out of the house to go to the beach everyday!)
Posted by: Lazy Cow | December 27, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Hello there lady!
I'm quite envious of your white Christmas, since we're in sunny, but cold Phoenix. I remember those snowy days, growing up in Ohio and I miss them.
Thanks for your comments about "putting away" Christmas. The week between Christmas and New Year's has been a time of slowing down and savoring the season for our family for many years. We are blessed with large families on both sides and a great group of friends, so we need to spread out our celebrations over many days to have a chance to enjoy the time with everyone. We like it that way...it extends our season into the new year and is a wonderful reminder of all the blessings that God has given us.
In addition, I have a hard time putting away all the decorations even after the new year begins. I have quite a few "winter" decorations that aren't specifically focused on Christmas, so I get to keep those out even into February. It helps me feel like it's winter here, even though it may not look or feel like it outside.
I'll look forward to checking in on your blog periodically. Feel free to visit mine as well.
http://nanhann.blogspot.com/
December posts have been quite sparse, due to so much "real life" happening, but I'm hoping to do some catching up in the coming days.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Nancy | December 27, 2007 at 09:42 PM