On my evening walks I have already seen Christmas trees by the dozens kicked to the curb. For many, it would seem, Christmas is a done deal.
But for us who believe, just this gentle reminder, that Christmas continues until January 6th. And, I would argue, its power and influence must continue all our life long. For Christ, whose birth in our history and our hearts is celebrated each year, desires to come to full maturity in each of us as well, and through us, to see his Kingdom become more evident.
Rather than multiply my own words, perhaps Howard Thurman’s reflective words are best:
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When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and princes are home,
When shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoners,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among all,
To make music in the heart.
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Howard Thurman
Here too a video helps to remind:
We always leave OUR tree up until Epiphany (or the weekend thereafter).
My husband & I tried to talk our daughter into waiting until Epiphany to open presents…if Christ could wait for the Three KIngs, couldn’t we? But for some reason, that just didn’t fly with our 10yo.
How about opening presents on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day?
@ Tom – I barely have my act together by Christmas Eve…
Good idea, Tom! We always do presents the Friday night of the weekend before Christmas (the 16th this year), so the kids can enjoy the presents all weekend, and Christmas is about Jesus. The kids get 3 presents each, as did Jesus. (Although, when my daughter was about 7, her 7-year-old friend said that I forgot to count the one from the shepherd!) I’m sure my kids would go for December 6.
Yes, let’s keep the party, or rather, the celebration of Christmas going till the very end of the Christmas Season, which concludes with the Epiphany of Our Lord – celebrated on January 6 around the world and January 8 in the US (and some other countries.)
Those poor trees getting kicked to the side
Growing up in southern Germany, we didn’t put up the tree until December 23rd or 24th and it remained until Epiphany. In some families the kids weren’t even allowed to see the tree until after Mass on the 24th and the opening of presents. Living now in this country for many years, I have adjusted to putting up the tree much earlier, but we always keep it up until Epiphany. Now the creche isn’t put away until Candlemass. That is a southern German tradition as well ( I don’t know if anyone else does that). Many churches keep their old antique creches up as well, and many folks form near and far travel in January see them.
Do you do the pickle, too? I’ve never gotten around to obtaining one, although my family is of German descent.