For the last several weeks we’ve celebrated the birth of our Lord. How awesome is that? We’ve had parties, spent time with family and friends, ate special foods, given and received gifts. My work weeks were interrupted and shortened. People seemed kinder and gentler.
What does back to normal look like? For me it’s five day work weeks without another holiday until the end of May. It’s snow and cold and nasty driving conditions.
I get what people are saying, that it’s time for the decorations to go away and get back into a rhythm. So many people start taking them down the day or two after Christmas. The Christmas season isn’t over then. Actually, tomorrow, the Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas is the end.
Okay, I can do without the shedding pine needles on my carpeting, but I’m not ready to see our angels fly away any time soon.
And why the rush? My guess is anticipation and the preparation started too soon. And then with all that behind them, they are too tired to enjoy the actual event. Catholic Mutt, in her New Year’s day post, had a great observation about enjoying the moments as they come.
I'm not sure I want things to go back to normal.
I want to stand at the top of the hill and see beauty and face the challenge.
I want to fly down the hill screaming like a little girl.
And I want to arrive at the bottom knowing I conquered something special.
Back to normal? Nah, not me.
AMDG
I'm right there with ya! I was bummed to see folks putting Christmas decorations only two days after Christmas. I wanted to shout, "But Christmas is just beginning!!" Oh well. More celebration for us to enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll just go back to "normal" January weather please...Christmas can stay as long as it wants!
ReplyDeleteI know! I was thinking about this the other day that Christmas as a secular holiday is no fun because it's only one day. We have had so much fun hosting Christmas and an Epiphany party that we want to keep celebrating :)
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas too and love that we celebrate it longer than the rest of the world....however today the decor is all going to be put away since it's too cold out for me to work or run errands.
ReplyDeleteThat middle photo is awesome! I'm not looking forward to the holidays being over, either. My tree is still up. I'll probably take it down this week, but I'll be enjoying the lights until I have time to take it down!
ReplyDeleteThis is a message that needs just the kind of "preaching" you do here, so the ranks of use who celebrate *12* days of Christmas will grow and not shrink. Thank you!
ReplyDelete(I found you through the Chesterton Weekend link which is why I'm late commenting here, but I still have some Christmas lights around my kitchen window to fight off winter blues.)