We’re taking advantage of the quiet moments this season. Is there anything better than turning down the lights and reading Christmas books by tree light? All the kids gathered around the book as the audio to the book played in the background. And it was quiet – even with a toddler – it was quiet and peaceful. I need more nights like this – it has all the energy of the season packaged up so nicely! If I was a fun mom, I would’ve let them sleep by the tree. But I’m not and it was a school night so books by tree light was all they got!
It seems as though everyone has a fascination with the tree this year. I’ve found ornaments rearranged and even removed and new toys in the tree. Surprisingly – not a single broken ornament…yet. We’re enjoying these last couple anxious/exciting days before Christmas. We never take our tree down right away, but for some reason, the lights tend to glow a little differently after Christmas. Perhaps the energy of the tree goes out the door with the used wrapping paper. Don’t get me wrong, I still find myself after Christmas admiring the tree’s beauty but its not the same. So you’ll find us here the next couple of nights.
I find it sad when people see Christmas Day as the endgame of the season.
As we get closer to Christmas Day I remind myself that is the beginning of the celebration, not the end. Advent is anticipation and preparation. The Twelve Days are time to rest, relax, rejuvenate with friends and family. Open your hearts and houses, pour the drinks (hot and cold). Fill the table and turn on the music. Laugh, tell stories, and enjoy this time that we have between the old year and the new.
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ. In most Western ecclesiastical traditions, “Christmas Day” is considered the “First Day of Christmas” and the Twelve Days are 25 December – 5 January, inclusive.
I love your thoughts on this. So often in our culture – Christmas day is the end of the nativity, we celebrate Christ’s birth on Christmas eve. Many people I know have Christmas decorations down within a a day or two of Christmas. The focus then shifts to New Years and resolutions. I love learning how others celebrate such a significant day.