Packing Up Christmas

Today we finally had Christmas in our house packed up.  I know we are after Epiphany or 6th Jan as it is in most of the UK, but we couldn’t, so it was today for us.  Am I bothered?  Not particularly.  The tradition of when you are to pack up the tree is almost immaterial to me.  Kevin and Johnathan like to have the tree up as long as they can.  Where I grew up, the idea was to PUT it up as late as possible and PACK up as soon as possible, too.  Obviously, if you ARE bothered and need to have it packed up as soon as possible, please feel free to do so.  

Christmas is a celebration occurring in many countries around the world and most countries have their own traditions or families themselves either have or make some for themselves, too.  I know when Kevin was single, he spent mostly every Christmas to new year with his parents in their house, but there was no way I would want to do that.  So we had Christmas day to ourselves and went to them on Boxing Day.  Obviously this has changed a few times over the years since then.  

Christmas is MEANT to change things.  It exploded into being with the birth of Jesus and became practice sometime later (not sure when).  The impact that He has had in the world has been unparalleled.  No other man has become so well known or their birth celebrated so widely and continued through the centuries, or had the meaning that His does.  And we don’t celebrate our birthdays by giving but by receiving.

And although we may pack away Christmas, we shouldn’t pack EVERYTHING bound up in the meaning of the INTENTION of Christmas.  Love and peace is applicable in every situation, whether it’s for yourself, or for others.  It’s a time to give and share of what you have.  These are all things that are wise to continue no matter what else is going on. 

Decorations come and go and there are styles that come in and out of fashion or are more available in certain colours in some years than others.  

You can pack up what you have in your house or church or whatever, but I hope you never pack up love and goodwill (peace) to all men.