Kicking Christmas To The Curb?
The joke's on the Christmas tree, New Year's is here
The king of the living room's out on his ear
You take back the gifts that you laid at his feet
And you drag the old tannenbaum out to the street
We took back the star that he thought was his crown
We packed up in papers his bright-colored gown
The lights and the ornaments back on the shelf
His majesty now can take of himself
In a ditch by the roadside he dies like a dog
What once was the Christmas tree now is a log
Broken brown branches half-buried in snow
Are bones of a hero one Christmas ago
But if you look closely, it's easy to see
A tangle of tinsel is caught in the tree
That one badge of honor is all that remains
Of those glorious Christmas tree evergreen days
Evergreen No More by David Wilcox
Okay, the above lyrics by David Wilcox might be a bit extreme, but they do ring true. And if the much anticipated and celebrated Christmas tree does not wind up on the curb, it winds up disassembled and packed up in a box in the dark attic for the next 11 months.
This year, I’m finding that I’m not that anxious to take our Christmas tree down.
Now, I admit that initially, I was not that anxious to put it up, either. Getting up in the attic to get the decorations down, now that the kids are out of the house, takes some extra motivation.
But now that the tree is up and the lights are shining brightly each evening, I wonder if we can keep it up to Valentine's Day.
Why? The tree and its lights bring hope. That’s what they were initially intended for.
Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope that spring would soon come.
According to Scandinavian and Norse traditions, fir trees commemorated the life that stirs even in the most frigid grips of winter.
Evergreens were once brought into the home as symbols of protection. These evergreens were alight with candles. The idea was to “light up” the darkest, coldest conditions.
Saint Boniface, an English Benedictine monk, declared that the evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree - the tree of the Christ child and a symbol of His promise of eternal life.
I don’t know about you, but I could always use a bright reminder of hope.
Without hope, it might as well be winter - dark and dreary all year round.
Reminds me of the White Witch in the Chronicles of Narnia.
"The White Witch?" said Edmund; "who's she?"
"She is a perfectly terrible person," said Lucy. "She calls herself the Queen of Narnia though she has no right to be queen at all… And she has made a magic so that it is always winter in Narnia—always winter, but it never gets to Christmas.”
No Christmas! No Spring! No hope!
So, I might just leave that tree up a little longer. You see, as I watch the evening news filled with stories of the war in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, the border crisis, another mass shooting, and grown adults bickering like children in the name of a “Presidential” election… I need to glance over and see those lights.
I need to see those beautiful branches pointing towards heaven. I need the “tree of the Christ child” and the promise of eternal life. I need to be reminded that these troubles of the world won't last forever.
Why would I stuff those things in a box in the attic? Who throws hope to the curb?
We need the hope of Christ all year long.
The song “We Need a Little Christmas” originated in the 1966 Broadway hit Mame and was sung by Angela Landsberry (Yes, Murder She Wrote). After the stock market crash of 1929, Auntie Mame tries to hurry up the Christmas preparations, even though it’s still November, hoping it will help take her mind off her lost fortune.
”For I've grown a little leaner, grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder, grown a little older
And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder
Need a little Christmas now”
Like Auntie Mame, we could all use a bit of light and hope no matter the month or season.
Can’t muster up the gumption to pull the tree off the curb? (I get it). Maybe try one of these four tips to keep hope alive even when things seem their darkest.
1. Gratitude Journaling: Take a few minutes each day to write down things you are grateful for.
"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 5:20
2. Connect with Friends and Loved Ones: Reach out! Grab lunch! Find those people who love you. Encourage one another. Laugh hard together!
“And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone…” Genesis 2:18
“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
3. Scripture Post-it Notes: Remember when mom would leave you an encouraging note on the napkin in your sack lunch? Leave yourself a few encouraging notes from scripture on post-it notes on your dashboard, mirror, or desk.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
4. Volunteer: Take the focus off of yourself. Find a way to serve others.
"If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it." Luke 17:33
The Summerall Christmas Tree
Remember, everyone's journey is unique, so finding what works best for you is important. But for me? That tree is going to avoid that attic till at least February.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1