The Great Christmas Tree Debate

I have a big decision to make this weekend.

Do I take down the Christmas tree and decorations, or do I boldly leave them up until next weekend when we ring in the New Year?

Normally, I’m a “day-after-Christmas” kind of person. Once the wrapping paper is gone, I’m ready to reclaim my house. But this year? I’m not so sure I’m ready.

It’s not the work involved—though taking everything down is basically a full-day workout. It’s that I’m still really enjoying the glow of the tree and the lights woven through the garland on the mantel. Especially in the quiet mornings while I’m doing my Bible study, and in the evenings when it’s dark outside, and the house feels extra cozy. Something about this year feels different.

A lot has happened within these walls since Thanksgiving. We’ve hosted three large extended family gatherings, with lots of kids running in and out of the house, playing in the field and down at the creek. Which explains why there are fingerprints on the walls in places I swear no one ever touches—and why some of them clearly came from outdoor adventures. And yes, there’s some deep cleaning that needs to happen.

Every year, once the decorations come down, I shift straight into full-on cleaning mode. Maybe that’s usually my real motivation—to clear the way so I can scrub, organize, and reset. But this year. The hurry just isn’t there.

And that’s when it hit me. Maybe the lesson isn’t about the decorations at all. Maybe it’s about not rushing past what’s still nourishing us just because it’s what we’ve always done.

Maybe it’s okay to sit in the glow a little longer. To enjoy the quiet. To rest before moving on to the next thing on the list.

There will be plenty of time for cleaning. Plenty of time for “what’s next.” But this moment—this warmth, this peace, this lingering joy—is worth savoring.

So if your tree is still up, you’re in good company. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is slow down and let the light linger just a little longer.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

December 26, 2025 Morning Brew

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