Christmas reflections: part 1

So today I am finally taking down the Christmas tree. Undecorating it. Sometimes I'm in more of a hurry to do it than other times. I like to work on it while something else is going on too, like during bowl season when football games are on. But this year since its late, its just me, doing it it little by little. This year's tree was a really pretty one, beautifully proportioned, wonderfully decorated, shapely, colorful. We loved it. Everyone in the family commented on how perfect it was.Yet, it is time for it to go. I don't mind taking it down. I think that I am better at doing that--getting the boxes out,putting things away and packing up, than I am at decorating. I have been enjoying finding the pieces that the boxes tell me they need, thinking back to when and where we got this or that ornament. Reflecting, reminising and tidying up. It's very satisfying.
I have good memories of this Christmas. and I'm ok with moving on. We worked hard to make it a joyful time of celebration, family and friends.Was it a perfect Christmas? No, the snow and ice made things difficult and cut into our time together. But we were together, all of us. We were all healthly, had plenty to eat, and a warm house. And we are all richer because of it. I don't mean monetarily, or with stuff, even though we all got lots of stuff. Being together, celebrating together, enlarged us, changed us, and sometimes cut us as tempers flaired and arguements ensued.
No, not a perfect Christmas, but the one God gave us. The one He hand picked for us to have. I know that lots of Christians make a big deal about how the best gift ever given was Jesus. I agree with that. Jesus is a gift like no other. but it seems like sometimes we gyp ourselves and others by thinking that it was a one time deal and the only gift. God is a gift giver. All the time. He thinks about what is good for us and then goes and gives it to us. A lot of the time we miss it. I know that I certainly do, or I revile and reject the gift because it's not what I wanted.But God gives us Christmas every year, an excuse to celebrate. I can't think of any other religion where the adherents are commanded to have parties, to sing and dance and rejoice. And even as I take down the tree, I know that Christmas will come again, very soon. And I will have another opportunity to remember the nativity story, to sing the carols, to shop for gifts and decorations and celebrate all over again.