Written by: Jeff Prince and edited by my beautiful, lovely husband, Michael Hardin.
It’s December 26th, the day after Christmas and a childhood memory came to me. My parents, brother and I would celebrate Christmas day at my “ma and pa” Saint’s house. There was always a live Christmas tree, a lot of food, and wild children running everywhere. I was usually in the kitchen with the “women folk” while the men where in the living room watching football. (How boring). Then it was time to open these beautifully wrapped gifts.
Children and adults wide eyed with anticipation and excitement. Wrapping paper ripped wildly with abandonment. Then it was done. Christmas is over. Or at least according to my aunt it was over. The once beautifully wrapped paper on the floor, in the trash and then she would begin to take the Christmas tree down. The ornaments went in a box and the Christmas tree was unceremoniously tossed out the door.
I remember all the Christmas anticipation and excitement being a letdown. At least, I still got to play with my cousin’s Barbie. (I always loved her style). Christmas had just started and then it was over with the annual Christmas tree toss. My religious tradition didn’t follow a liturgical calendar. I had no clue what that was and perhaps it would have been well too Catholic.
Christmas started December 25 and goes through January 6, 2024. It concludes with Epiphany or Three Kings Day (Los Tres Reyes, see more about that here www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/timeless-puerto-rican-tradition-three-kings-day) and tossed in with John’s baptism of Jesus. Let’s slow down, leave the tree up, enjoy the Christ child. The Christ brings all good news, glad tidings, and joy. I want to let that permeate into my heart, mind, and body. Hope came to the world through the belly of a young, Jewish teen named Mary. God entered the world as a tiny vulnerable baby. Jesus, Christ, God is present with us now and always. Let that simmer. Don’t rush. Slow down. Merry Christmas.
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