In need of Light

The “taking down of Christmas” (as people say) always depresses me. In our home, we leave the decorations up at least through Epihany, and I might even stretch that out a bit.  I feel the sacred season of Christmas is just getting started when the whole taking down part and wrapping up the manger scene, lights, and ornaments get packed into boxes and bins.  Now for the commercialization of the holiday, that seems like a different story.  The day after Halloween the stores display all the “holiday stuff” so that by December 26, I guess we all become weary of the tinsel and blow up plastic Santas and reindeer.  

I am not trying to be judgmental because everyone has their preference of displaying the season according to their belief system. However, for me, just mentally gearing up to “take down” special keepsakes gets a bit harder each year.  

One of my biggest losses that I feel is the loss of light. We string lights on our Christmas tree, display outside lights, and put candles in the windows.  This is wonderful here in New England where our Winter days are so short and one feels like going to bed at 7pm practically!  Lights help to set a smooth rhythm and flow to the dark Winter days and evenings.  It is also fun to notice as the days get a tad longer after the Winter Solstice and the sunsets grow even more beautiful.  

My body and soul crave light (even though I do wear dark sunglasses a lot for protection due to chronic M).  I love the twinking of the soft Christmas tree colored lights and the dimly lit (non smelly candles) on our mantle.   Sipping my morning coffee in the family room with just those lights on starts my day off on a positive and peaceful path. The glow is comforting as the natural light of daybreak peeks ever so sweetly in my windows.  

This year I am trying a slightly different approach.   I just couldn’t bare to strip everything down and pack it away, so with a twinkle in my eye, my hubby knew I was up to something. I suggested we bring in our white winter tree from outside and place it in the same spot as where our traditional Christmas tree was. I just added white lights and wrapped it in some colored garland.   It has more of a winter affect I guess.   Hopefully I will be ready by Easter to take it down only to put up Spring and Easter lights! Lol!  

The physical lights help keep my mood uplifted, but they also remind me daily of the Light of Christ who is our Savior of the world.  

I am in need of light.

I am in need of Light.