Putting Christmas Away

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If you’re like me, this past weekend found you putting Christmas away. Since I love having our tree up as well as our other Christmas decorations, it’s a chore I delay until New Year’s Day. I soak up every moment of the beauty until the calendar tells me it’s time to say goodbye to Christmas for another year.

I’ve discovered something, though. Even though we may have to pack away the lights and garland and precious ornaments, we don’t have to put Christmas away completely. We can hang on to the spirit of the season all year long.

We can continue to reach out to those less fortunate, continue to wish strangers well, and continue to cherish our family and friends and shower our love on them. In our personal worship, we can hold on to the wonder of our Savior’s birth, to the enormity of His love for us.

Last year I held on to the chorus of “O Come All Ye Faithful” and made it part of my worship time all year long as I changed the words to “I come and I adore you”. I’ll probably do the same this year because Christmas is not the only time to come and adore the Savior, is it?

What will you do to keep from putting Christmas away entirely? Join me, won’t you, and hang on to the spirit of the season throughout the year. God’s love can make every season bright!

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ” 1 John 1:4-5 KJV

*Flickr photo by Singh, Creative Commons License

Comments

  1. We finally have most of our decorations in boxes; not fully, but closer now than before. I’ve never waited this late to put things away, partly because I’m tired and partly because I hated packing away the beauty. You’re right… as Christians we should carry Christmas with us all throughout the year. I keep a couple of Christmas CD’s in my van so that I can listen whenever I want.

    Thanks for your support; it’s been a rough week, but I feel greatly encouraged this morning.

    peace~elaine

  2. What a lovely reminder (and photo!). We can and should celebrate Jesus year-round. I love turning on a good worship song and singing along and praising him! I never thought of changing the words to O Come All Ye Faithful, but that’s a great idea, too!

  3. Elaine, so glad to hear that you are feeling encouraged. May God continue to keep you so.

    And Kandi, the photo is one of the Flickr photos with Creative Commons license. Love that I can find lots of great photos there.

  4. My decorations are still up but I so agree with you about holding on the spirit of Christ all year…sowing into the lives of others…being a blessing to others and sharing the LORD with others while loving and honoring HIM is a year round not one day a year.

    You bless my and thanks for your prayers. You have mine!

  5. We always wait until after my birthday (New Year’s Day) to put away the decorations. It’s always a little sad for me…I enjoy all the lights and decorations. :-)

    Yes, we do need to keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts all year long…it’s Jesus!

    Great post!

  6. I put my decorations away this year much earlier than I ever have. But I had a birthday party to put together and wanted the new year to be “fresh” and without the sadness of taking down the tree. Yes, it makes me sad to take it down!

    But I’m with you, Cheryl… we can keep the spirit of the season with us all year long!

    hugs,
    Donna

  7. That is a beautiful idea! I love it! I too felt sad to put Christmas away!

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