Back in the Box

One of the saddest times of the year is when I gather up the Christmas decor and place it back in the closet.  There are no more lights, nativity scenes, nutcrackers, or Christmas cheer.  The house seems empty.  It’s the last sign that the holiday is officially over and work is about to begin again.  I always find it a little depressing.

This year the holiday has come and gone way too quickly.  I wasn’t able to properly savour it, and I’m not ready for it to be over.  Alas, I don’t have a choice.  Life continues to move forward at a breakneck speed.  It doesn’t care whether I’m ready or not.  As I pondered those thoughts today while packing everything up, I was reminded of the words to “Boxing Day”, a song from Relient K’s Christmas album:

Take it all down, Christmas is over
But do not despair, rather be glad
We had a good year, now let’s have another
Remembering all the good times that we had

Oh, no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
But Christmas, it makes way for spring

That song always seems to lift my post-Christmas blues.  Yes, Christmas is over.  The lights are gone; the carols won’t be sung again until December, but there’s still a reason to be happy.  Winter is coming to an end.  In only a few short months, we’ll soon see the grass turn green, and flowers will begin to bloom again.  Christmas makes way for new life and a new year.  Rejoice, it makes way for Spring.