Holiday Hangover

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full,” (John 10:10b).

I usually take down my tree the day after Christmas. I figure the faster it’s stripped, the sooner life will return to normal around here.

We call it holiday hangover. Everyone is recovering from two days of hyperactivity, wacky schedules and sugar overload. If your kids are a little bit “off” today, then it hit your house, too.

Before hubby and I even caught a whiff of coffee percolating this morning, my pajama-clad sweet things bickered over yesterday’s loot, both demanding first rights to pry open the new Play-Doh canisters. Our toddler begged to “eat candies” for breakfast, and big sister announced she wants Daddy to stay home from work forever. Meanwhile, I’m worried about early-onset arthritis from untwisting enough toy packaging wires to stretch from our playroom to the moon and back.

It makes a mom wonder—was the yuletide flurry worth the fallout?

Yes.

There are some aspects of the Christmas season that I wish would linger a while longer. The intangible gifts we unwrap in our spirits—those are the real holiday takeaways.

. . . Hope swelling our hearts when “Silent Night” resounds through a candlelit church

. . . Unquestioning generosity toward people in need or hurting

. . . Camaraderie of neighbors uniting to share recipes, stories, memories

. . . Grandpa’s smile that welcomes us into his kitchen, grateful for one more Christmas together

. . . Laughing to tears with my sisters

. . . Pure delight shining on my favorite little faces when a thrashing of wrapping paper reveals the long-awaited doll, game, storybook—followed by thank-you hugs that don’t let go.

I think I’ll keep the tree up a few extra days, just as a reminder. Christmas doesn’t have to end when the calendar flips. Jesus was born to give us lasting peace and hope. Throughout the year, we can harbor all that is beautiful and true about the season.

The cookies and boxes can go.

Joy, adoration, kindness, benevolence, love—they are welcome to abide.

Blessings,
Becky