Have you taken down your Christmas tree yet?
I hope not. Traditionally the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and lasts though the twelve days of Christmas to Epiphany on January 6th. Christmas Trees were traditionally taken down on January 6th or 7th.
For the full two weeks after Christmas the season was celebrated with fine food and in the company of family and friends. When I was growing up, New Year's Day dinner was a repeat of the Christmas dinner, and leftovers were eaten with pickles and preserves.
Today the Christmas shopping season seems to have taken over Advent, and even Advent calendars today have a door for the 25th - tut tut. As a youth my Advent calendar featured images behind the door - not chocolate - and I was still excited to open them. Whether Christian or not, Advent is a time for reflection, anticipation, and excitement - not shopping with angst!
The full Christmas season should be enjoyed, so next year put your tree up a little later and enjoy your tree a little longer - your cat will thank you.
Merry twelve days of Christmas.
 |
| Santa Cruz Sentinel January 1, 1889, Page 3 |
I hope not. Traditionally the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and lasts though the twelve days of Christmas to Epiphany on January 6th. Christmas Trees were traditionally taken down on January 6th or 7th.
For the full two weeks after Christmas the season was celebrated with fine food and in the company of family and friends. When I was growing up, New Year's Day dinner was a repeat of the Christmas dinner, and leftovers were eaten with pickles and preserves.
Today the Christmas shopping season seems to have taken over Advent, and even Advent calendars today have a door for the 25th - tut tut. As a youth my Advent calendar featured images behind the door - not chocolate - and I was still excited to open them. Whether Christian or not, Advent is a time for reflection, anticipation, and excitement - not shopping with angst!
The full Christmas season should be enjoyed, so next year put your tree up a little later and enjoy your tree a little longer - your cat will thank you.
Merry twelve days of Christmas.
