When did you put your Christmas tree up and when did you/will you take it down?
Challenging 2020 (for lack of a nicer word) needed some early year end cheer so many welcomed the holiday season by expediting it. Perhaps you were one of them and put your tree up earlier than usual?
But now, Christmas Day has passed, and the New Year has been rung in. Have you taken your tree down or are you still savoring the holidays? The Three Kings (Wise Men, Magi) arrived on Jan. 6th (Epiphany) to visit the newborn Jesus and bore their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Many Christians do not take down their tree until the Magi arrive. Even this year, or perhaps especially this year, they might have been among those who put their tree up earlier than usual.
There are different traditions related to Epiphany, but my favorite is most celebrated in Puerto Rico. Children leave grass and water by their beds at bedtime for the camels after their long trek. When they awaken, there are gifts left in thanks. Some countries leave shoes as reminders of travel, but the thoughtfulness of remembering the camels and their needs is charming. One day when we have our next generation, I look forward to instilling this tradition.