You can’t really expect to get rid of it all in one day. Is Christmas really over just because it’s December the 27th? Then why do I still have a tree lighting up my living room? And why am I snacking right now from a Christmas cake? And why are all the houses in the neighborhood that were glowing two days ago still spreading Christmas cheer?
Because we don’t want it to be over. As it is it all happened too fast. It seems as if I put all this stuff out just yesterday.
So we’re going to have leftover Christmas from now until the New Year, let’s be sure and take along with us all the great things Christmas is known for: a spirit of giving, a childlike attitude of wonder, a mind-set of anticipation, a strong sense of hope, and most of all, the ability to believe
If we’re going to keep Christmas hanging around for a few more days, then we can continue to foster all the good things Christmas represents.
Merry Christmas.
John Fischer The Catch 
For me, the anticipation of Christmas and all it means, begins way before, with music and white lights. This reminds me of the angels’ songs and the clear stars that shone in the sky those nights before His birth. There is all the love and good will spread with family and friends in the weeks and days ahead, the gatherings big and small with everyone dressed to impress, the cookie baking just so it can all be given away ( 14 kinds of cookies and cakes), and the loving thoughts put into each card written to friends and family. The candles lit during Silent Night at Christmas Eve service, always leaves a warm glow in my soul.The smiles and easy conversation with loved ones as we open presents,and tell stories of loved ones. The food so loving prepared whether it is all perfect or not. The glow of the tree and the lights outside, shine with God’s love and grace as the night winds down. The Christmas Season begins that day and radiates forward as we celebrate God’s great gift to us all. The cards are still getting out, the music is still playing, the celebrating still continuing with friends and family and the love shining brightly. Christmas joys still flows as we spread the good news of Jesus’ birth.
Brian Adams wrote a song years ago that echoes the same thought, wishing that Christmas would never go away. http://www.mp3lyrics.org/b/bryan-adams/christmas-time/
One of my favorite Christmas songs, even though BA is a secular rocker. Who says only Christians can write Christian tunes?
As a “Lutheran” Christian, we celebrate Christmas until January 6, Epiphany….when the three wise men found Jesus, and the revelation of God the Son as a human. I, too, believe that we should be keeping Christmas in our hearts (all the things you listed – a spirit of giving, etc) all year long, just as we keep Easter in our hearts (Jesus’ gift for us).
Merry Christmas!!
AMEN!!! There’s so much build-up to Christmas, then it seems to be all over in a matter of hours. I like to leave things up until at least January 6th.
One year, I kept my small artificial tree out and decorated until June! When I moved, I rode across town in the bed of a friend’s pick-up, sitting in my great-grandmother’s rocking chair and holding the tree between my knees. What a way to draw attention to yourself…
What an adventure! I thought I had gotten “kicked out of the Catch.” I had not gotten messages for months. I decided to look in my “junk mail” (sorry John) and there were all the back issues.
I “happened” to click on December 14 about the Whispers from the Holy Spirit. I have been putting off returning a phone call to a person who challenges me and I try to avoid. The message for 12/14 wasn’t a whisper, it was a hit upside the head. Jesus loves this person and He has put her in my life to love as well. I have to go make a phone call. Thank you so much.