Christmas has come and gone, and the New Year is already underway. Every year around this time, I find myself asking the same question: When is the right time to take down the Christmas tree? The decorations are a little easier; I’m ready for some of extra to be put away, but the tree with just it’s lights on…is another story.
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This year felt especially fast. With only three short weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the season seemed to rush by. Normally, I don’t mind leaving the tree up a little longer, but this year I’m ready—at least—to take the ornaments down. With a toddler in the house, it’s harder for him to resist the temptation to touch and play, and life doesn’t slow down just because the decorations are still up.
All the kids were so excited for the holiday season. To spend time with family and do all the things that make it feel like Christmas. For us, that means getting a live Christmas tree and going to church each week to experience the Advent season in full effect. It also gives great opportunities to share the real reason for the season, Christ’s birth.
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The Glow That’s Hard to Let Go
And yet… I hesitate.
There is something about the glow of the Christmas tree at night that I’m not quite ready to give up. For now, I will remove the ornaments and leave the tree standing with only its lights. In that simplicity, there’s a quiet peace in a dark room illuminated by that soft glow. In those moments, as I sit with the stillness, my mind drifts back to the night of Christ’s birth. I find myself imagining the calm of the sky, pierced by one brilliant star—bright enough to lead the wise men on their journey.
I wonder what it must have felt like to witness that light in the darkness, knowing something extraordinary had entered the world. Even now, this small glimpse of our tree glowing really does make me think about the true reason for the season. After all, the gifts, cookies, parties, and all the extras are just that extra.
That peaceful glow reminds me that Christmas isn’t meant to disappear the moment the calendar changes. It’s with us all year long, so leave that tree up with just the lights on and sit in a dark room and enjoy the soft glow and remember that God is with you.
Matthew 2:9–10 “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.”
When Order Returns and Needles Remain
By the second full week of January, though, I know I’ll be ready. I like the feeling of order returning, and with a live tree, the longer it stays, the more pine needles seem to scatter everywhere. In our old home, I found needles year-round, tucked into the gaps of the wood floors. It was annoying at times—but it also became a quiet reminder. A small trace of Christmas lingering long after the season had passed. God’s little blessings.
Isn’t that how faith often works?
As the decorations come down, we’re reminded that Christmas isn’t just a moment—it’s a message. The light of Christ doesn’t fade when the tree is gone. It stays with us as we return to ordinary routines, busy schedules, and everyday responsibilities.
Traditions That Evolve, Not Disappear
This season also makes me think about traditions. Which ones do we carry with us into marriage and family life, and which ones do we release or reshape? Traditions can be deeply personal, tied to memories, emotions, and meaning. Letting go of them isn’t easy. But sometimes they don’t need to disappear—they simply need to evolve. The heart of the tradition can remain, even as its form changes. Do you have a tradition that you hold dearly to your heart? Was it or has it been hard to blend traditions into your marriage?
2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts…”
Final Thoughts
Final thoughts maybe that’s what January is really for: not rushing to erase Christmas, but allowing its meaning to gently transition into the rest of the year. The ornaments may be packed away, the tree eventually removed, but the Light that came into the world still shines—steady, quiet, and present.
So, as the New Year begins, how are you planning to let January transition into the year ahead? As you look forward, do you have any predictions for what the coming year might hold? Perhaps even more importantly, are there hopes or intentions you’re ready to pursue and try to make happen?
And perhaps that’s the tradition worth holding onto most of all.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
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