@bethvogt
My family always packs away our Christmas decorations right after the new year.
Only this year, we didn’t.
My husband Rob suggested we keep our outside lights up until we no longer have to wear masks because of COVID-19. His recommendation includes the white lights on the evergreen tree in our front yard. It’s grown taller than we ever imagined, requiring additional strands of lights every year. We’re also leaving up the star positioned over the garage that Rob and our youngest daughter Christa restrung with new white lights a few weeks ago.
After his “Let’s keep the outside lights up” declaration, I surprised myself by saying, “Why don’t we leave our Christmas tree up, too?”
Everyone agreed with me.
Here we are, six days into 2021, and I have no idea when we’ll be storing the lights and dismantling the tree.
I’m okay with that.
In the early months of 2020, when COVID-19 was just beginning to tilt us off-balance, I asked Rob to search through our Christmas decorations and find the Emmanuel banner that hangs on our fireplace mantle. The handmade gift from a friend stayed up from mid-March right through December. And yes, it’s there still, a visual reminder that God is with us, no matter what.
But why keep the Christmas lights up for an undetermined amount of time?
Rob and I have a tradition of selecting themes for our children’s Christmas stockings – everything from survival the year he hiked down a mountain after breaking his knee cap to the tamer themes of cooking and fun and games. This year, Rob chose the theme of illumination, selecting an assortment of utilitarian lights. Think portable LED lights and headlamps.
One of my favorite things to do during the month of December is to come downstairs when everyone else is still asleep and to dispel the darkness in the house by plugging in the Christmas tree. Sometimes I sit in the silence with a cup of tea and sometimes I play Christmas music.
The lights sparkle off treasured ornaments, each one prompting memories of Christmases past, of friends, of previous homes, of fun vacations.
Leaving the outside lights up, along with the Christmas tree, is about remembering how much we need light when life seems dark.
Yes, it’s 2021, but we still face challenges because of the coronavirus – and just because normal, everyday life is hard. Only six days into this year, and I know three people who are grieving the unexpected loss of loved ones.
The true hope of Christmas doesn’t end because we turn the calendar page to January. This year, my family chose to keep the lights shining a little longer. As I write these words near the glow of my Christmas tree, I’m thankful for this year’s tradition.
What’s giving you hope right now?
Choosing to Leave the Lights On https://bit.ly/3rRWA4x #hope #newyear2021 Click To Tweet 'It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.' Quote by Aristotle https://bit.ly/3rRWA4x #hope #faith Click To Tweet
Comments 16
I loved your comments about light dispelling the darkness and signifying hope. I’m hopeful this year because of the COVID vaccine coming into play, opportunities in my personal life, my hope in Jesus Christ, and having lots more good books to read.
Author
Suzanne: I love all your reasons to be hope-filled! And yes — I’m already reading several good books!
Light is my One Word for 2021. We took our tree down on Sunday, and I told my husband, “I miss the lights.” I have an 18″ tree, and I may get it back out and put the white lights on it just so I can enjoy them.
Author
Ooooh, Lisa! I love the idea of putting white lights on your tree! What a visual for your One Word.
“Illumination,” love that word. Great choice and it seems important to keep the lights on in more ways than one, especially the outside ones, for all it represents. I know your family keeps “lights” on in lots of other ways as well.
Author
Dee: You bring light wherever you go, too, my friend — and you sow light with all the prayers you pray over others.
There isn’t too much room for hope,
with chances getting slim,
and though I think I yet can cope,
it’s gotten really grim
with death’s-head grinning in the night
(by pain he is announced)
and it’s an oddly mundane fright
to see him set to pounce.
But nonetheless I still find joy
in the small things every day,
and it’s this that I employ
to find will to help me stay
for one more moment, one more hour
in a life still not gone sour.
Author
Andrew, Not all of us experience what you do each day, but so many are searching for slivers of hope.
Your words provide light and hope for me — and sometimes laughter. Or truth. Sometimes a combination of all.
Praying for you.
I’m sitting here looking at my Christmas tree with lights shining. Not sure when I’ll take it down, but for right now, I’m enjoying it. We need more light in our lives!
Author
I’ll be thinking of you with your tree, Pat, while I’m over here with my tree. 😉
What gives me hope as 2021 begins, as I spent the last year battling cancer, as I almost lost my sister-in-law to Covid, as I watched the insurrection at the Capitol is this sure knowledge:
God is still on the throne!!!
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Maureen:”Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Faith. Faith is giving me hope.
Author
So true, Denise. So true.
Love this so much! I have admired the Emmanuel banner from the first time I saw it. It has reminded me of our Lord’s constant presence. And the lights remind me of the Light of the World. Choosing joy and hope with you!
Author
Fran: So far each morning in January I’ve looked at my Christmas tree and said, “He is the Light of the World.” 🙂