Somehow or other, no matter how many times we scour the Christmas tree for ornaments before we pack it away, we always find one lingering decoration on the tree when we set it up the next year. I guess it’s a good thing, then, that we’ve switched to a fake tree… or else several family heirlooms would have been arbitrarily donated to the Christmas tree dump lot. While my brothers may think it fun to hunt for those last little ornaments as we pack the tree away, I find myself depressed every year we do it. As we stuffed the Christmas tree back into its box, turned the outdoor decorative lights off, washed the festive mugs, blew out the holiday candles, and put the Christmas music away last week, I was nearly brought to tears. It isn’t that I’m sad it’s a new year or that I don’t have anymore presents to open; I’m sad because we’re packing up the holiday season for a whole year… and I’m going to miss it. For me, the excitement of Christmas is more than just the presents on Christmas morning; it is everything about the Christmas season—The holiday music you simply can’t escape no matter where you go (which is only a delight, not a nuisance to me). The never ending supply of different nativity scenes. The anticipation of Christmas eve/morning. The smell of fir trees, apple cider, fresh-baked cookies, Christmas scented candles, and hot chocolate. The decorations all over the house (including the bathroom), stores, schools, business offices, and even streets. I could name over 100 things I love about the Christmas season… but all of them would amount to nothing if they weren’t experienced with family. The more Christmases I experience, the more I realize that it is the family traditions – the time spent being together doing the things we love – that I cherish the most.
It isn’t just December 25th that I look forward to when it comes to Christmas; it’s everything that comes with it – all the traditions, time, learning, and focus on Christ (see “And the Word Became Flesh...” below) that happens with the family. That is why I love the entire season and why I hate so much to see it all packed away.
But every time I hear that glorious Christmas music, no matter where I’m at or what I’m doing, I am reminded of that special time I cherish so much and of the family waiting for me back at home. And that, oh my dear roomie, is why we will listen to Christmas music all year round.
1 comment:
Well I'm very thankful to finally have an answer to my question. And now I know too why you were devasted that it was mid-December and you didn't feel like it was Christmas yet. Very good blog Roomie!
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