@bethvogt
It’s time to take down our Christmas tree.
I know, I know, some of you are thinking, “It’s long past time to take that tree down, Beth!”
After Christmas, my husband Rob decided we needed light in our lives. Keeping our Christmas tree up was a perfect way to accomplish that. We also left our Christmas star up outside and the white lights on our big evergreen tree near our garage. I also left out one lighted glass snowman I named “Hope.” There’s something about getting up in the morning and plugging in hope … symbolic, yes?
Rob declared we’d keep the tree and the lights up until we no longer needed to wear masks to guard against COVID-19. This week, Rob looked at me and said, “It’s time to take the tree down.”
“What?”
“The CDC decision about not having to wear masks if you’re vaccinated? We can take the Christmas tree down now.”
Oh.
(And no, this is not a post about choosing to be vaccinated or not.)
I’ve gotten used to the Christmas tree sitting in the family room corner. To be honest, some days we turn it on first thing in the morning. Some days we don’t. We noticed just the other day that some of the lights burned out on the top of the tree.
Hope, though? I rarely miss turning on the smiling glass snowman. I need that reminder of hope. Every. Single. Day.
I’m not so sure I want to take the Christmas tree down. The whole “you don’t have to wear masks” mandate is muddled, if you ask me. There are a lot of caveats to it, a lot of “Ifs,” “mights,” and “stills.”
The reason for the tree remans: wanting more light in our lives.
Maybe it’s not about taking the tree down.
Maybe it’s about replacing those burned out lights with some new ones. Reminding ourselves why we left the Christmas tree up to begin with. Asking ourselves if we’re seeking the Light each day … being grateful for the Light … looking for opportunities to be light for others.
Choosing to Keep Christmas All the Year ... or Not https://bit.ly/33UPvFF #hope #perspective Click To Tweet 'I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.' #quote by Charles Dickens https://bit.ly/33UPvFF #perspective #hope Click To Tweet
Comments 12
Yea for replacing burned out lights and adding new lights wherever possible and being light, which you and your family are good at it. Hurray for days that are full of light!
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Yes, Dee — whether the Christmas tree stays up or down, here’s to days that are full of light!
I still have my Christmas tree up!
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Yay! I’m glad to know there are others with their Christmas tree up, Mae!
Ain’t taken down the Christmas tree;
I see no reason why.
When Barb asks, I say, “Let’s see;
might do it in July.”
I kinda like it sittin’ there,
and the cat, she likes it, too,
climbing up so she can stare,
and nothin’ dogs can do.
And yes, even before you ask,
the Christmas lights remain;
why bend to the removal task
when they’ll just go up again?
Put up your feet, take my advice,
and live a Redneck Paradise.
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Andrew: Love your sonnet and your humor, my friend.
You’re in my prayers, as always.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…
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I’m singing right along with you, Denise …
“Need a reminder of hope everyday…” We do need that! Keeping our eye on the light that is HOPE is life giving. I think I want to put my Christmas tree back up now! 🙂
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Lynn: 🙂 Your comment made me smile. Yay, for putting your Christmas tree up now.
Yes to “lighting” Hope. Jesus is our hope. What a great way to see Him each day.
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Lisa: “Hope” is plugged in this morning and the Christmas tree is lit. It’s a wonderful start to the day.