It is with great reluctance, every year, that I give it up...this season of joy and peace. My freakish love of the Holiday keeps me grasping it tightly. Why should it end?
I reach for it as long as I can. Pretend that it's brilliance doesn't fade. Try to bridge the gap between a magical instance and normal, ho-hum life. I want to wrap a string tightly around my fingertip. A reminder to live that Christmas life all year.
The glimmer, for me, is Epiphany. His visitation. His revelation.
They saw the star...they came...they worshiped. Then spread the good news.
I'll stretch it out a bit longer. Then, celebrate the newness of the year. Epiphany...insight for things to come...opportunity to extend the good grace of Christmas. Getting the string...
I so get the need to have Christmas last longer. Some of my oldest glass ornaments live in my china cabinet on display all year 'round-- as a reminder. I like Dawn's quoting Dickens-- that heart change is a daily thing, not just at Christmas. Some holidays just need to be savored and drawn out (like Christmas, like Easter). Thanks for this post (I can never remember the date of the Epiphany!)
Posted by: Nathalie Thompson | Tuesday, January 04, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Here it is custom to leave the decorations up until January 6th.
Somehow, it seems like some of the magic is gone, when the decorations and the tree are down...
Wishing you a wonderful 2011, Deryn - and may there always be brilliance and magic in your life.
Posted by: Renate | Tuesday, January 04, 2011 at 12:32 AM
I too hesitate to put it all away. And we really do not have to - I agree in celebrating all year long! We celebrate in the many good moments and there will be plenty in 2011. Happy New Year, Deryn! :-)
Posted by: Cindy | Monday, January 03, 2011 at 04:51 PM
I'm exactly the same, Deryn. I found a way to extend it a bit. I married into a family with some Ukrainian roots, and Ukrainian Christmas is on January 7th. It's a perfect excuse to enjoy the warmth of the season (and the decorated home) even longer. I even make small stockings for my son's which they open on the 7th. They're not willing to give up this tradition even though they're 23 and 20!
So I will echo Charles Dicken's words: "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
Love,
Dawn.
Posted by: Dawn Supina | Monday, January 03, 2011 at 04:24 PM
What great news for all of us the season of Epiphany brings!
I love to drag out Christmas, not for the decorations (well sort of, but hubby gets tire of them quickly), gifts, or holiday songs, but for the joyous feeling of what the season represents. It would be nice if we could bottle this feeling enough to last the entire year because the burdens of daily life seem to eat it up quickly.
Posted by: Alice | Monday, January 03, 2011 at 02:33 PM