BY DAWN REED
Our Christmas decorations came down last night. It was Feb. 1. Since they went up in early October, it was probably time.
I usually drag my Crocs when the day comes to un-decorate the parsonage – not my favorite thing at all.
The tree, lights, candles, smells, curtains, and pillows all contribute to an atmosphere of peace and warmth. My favorite Christmas colors are red and green. Decades ago, I read in an encyclopedia (remember those?) that red stood for the blood of Jesus, and green was for everlasting life. As in “evergreen.” That sold me right then and there. Red and green are everywhere during the Christmas season. While we are not fancy, we focus on cozy.
Each year, I wrap all our hanging pictures in bright Christmas paper and add bows for a finishing touch. It’s an inexpensive way to zhuzh up the walls. It also puzzles our guests.
Shiny red ceramic boots line the top of the kitchen cabinets along with a large Santa cookie jar. My Aunt Pat made each one in the ‘90s.
Nativities are all over the place. My favorite and largest set has seen quite a few Christmases. My wise men have been a mile or two. One has a cracked turban you can see all the way through. A rough Christmas a few years ago caused him great bodily harm. His headwrap was glued back together three times. Another wise guy is missing a hand. Same rough Christmas.
Our fake Baby Jesus who rests beneath the Christmas tree is also a bit of a mess up close. Made of porcelain, it was gifted to our daughter by her Granny when she was little. The baby doll had been given tender care for over 30 years. But one Christmas play not too long ago I was rushing through the door at church and hit the doorframe. Broke off three of its fingers. When the baby is wrapped tightly you cannot even tell.
While it is a bit sad for me to finally wrap up the Christmas season, I know other things/seasons are ahead. I cannot stay rooted in the past. Though we are currently encased in snow and ice, beneath the ground, God is working. We are in full winter mode now, but in a few months, the earth will spring forth with new life.
In Isaiah 43:19, God said, “Behold, I am doing a new thing…” If I am honest, there are times when I do not want a new thing. I am perfectly comfortable in the old thing. That is when I need Him to take my hand, lead, pull, and occasionally drag me into a new season or opportunity.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Are you facing a new season? Are you dragging your feet as you go? Some seasons of life seem to last longer than others. January felt like it had 88 days. Still, God is faithful every day of every long month of the year. He will help us through one at a time.
After the decorations are packed up and put away, all the pictures unwrapped, everything seems so neat and tidy. Almost like a clean slate.
Ready for the next season to begin.