When you read the title, was your first thought: “I thought Brooke liked Christmas?” I most certainly do. This may sound strange, but I also like when it’s over.

When I was small, I absolutely loved helping to decorate for Christmas. That didn’t just include Christmas trees. I loved setting out the candles, wreaths, and figurines. To me, it was like I was helping to herald in the season. Now, when I helped Mamaw Jo, she had to had things sit in a specific place and just right. As for my mom, she was more laid back about her decorations. The only time she got upset with me was when I sat out her little nativity scene. Apparently, I would place Jesus in the wrong spot. “He has to go between Mary and Joseph,” she would often correct me. For some reason, I thought he needed to be closer to the animals. As an adult, I find myself also being picky about my decorations. Often, I’ll change my mind and rearrange them. Tim often tells me: “ Will you just sit it somewhere. It’ll still look good.” So, after that much effort, you would think taking them down after Christmas would be difficult for me. Actually, it’s just the opposite.
After Christmas is over, I first take down my Santa decorations. The rest I keep up until New Years Day. After my prayer, a few cups of coffee, and some chocolate that morning, I start taking everything down. Usually, I have on the Rose Parade as I work. If I’m not done by the time it’s over, I like to watch a funny movie. As I put things away, I carefully wrap them in plastic and place them in a box until next year. That is unless I find a new one that I like more. If I do, I donate the old ones. To me, all of this is like turning a page to a new season of my life. After all, the new year is often seen as a fresh start. I guess you can say it kinda uplifts my spirits. But last year, I did things differently.
I had heard about people that leave their tree up all year and change the decorations to match the season. It sounded like a good idea to me, so I decided to try it. To help justify my decision, I told everybody my little grandson Maverick loved to look at my tree. To be honest, I liked looking at it more than he did. Anyway, I took off the balls that had Santa Claus and other fancy Christmas designs on them. I mainly left the colored ones and those with snowmen or snowflakes. When March rolled around, I ordered spring ornaments that were pastel pink, blue, lavender, and green with various designs and patterns. I enjoyed my spring tree so much that I was gong to buy red, white, and blue ornaments for Independence Day. I didn’t. When fall came around, I was going to order some pretty orange and red ones. I didn’t. You see, I realized leaving it up and changing the ornaments had slowly taken away it’s specialness for me.
I had a couple of thoughts on this:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24 (KJV)
After we accept Christ, we have indeed turned to a new page in our lives for we now have a peace and hope that only He can give. Because of this, we put away the old things and put on the new man.
“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saint the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25 (KJV)
Even though I tried to tweak my tree into something I thought would be enjoyable, it didn’t quite work for me. My action took away the uniqueness of it. I think some try to do that with the Lord and His Word in that they want to make Him into something He isn’t. That takes away form our witness and His Holiness. There is nothing Equal to the Lord and His ways.
This year I’ll be doing New Year’s Day a little differently again in that I promised Tim I would help him take down the outside Christmas decorations. To be honest, I won’t enjoy that too much. Not only will it be cold, but I also won’t be able to able to watch the parade. Now, if I can take a cup of hot cocoa outside with me, then I’ll be good.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.