We leave it up until it feels right to put it in the yard next to the bird feeders. Christine's sense of timing is perfect. She picks the moment when we are psychologically and spiritually ready to return the living room to its normal configuration. I asked her how she can judge the time so well. Christmas is a season of light.
Light comes into the world, new joy abounds, and there is a freshness and vitality of life.
More than one person tells me each year as they shake my hand after Christmas Eve worship that they will be coming back to church regularly. Christmas lights their flame anew. Trouble is the light ebbs and in time no one lights the tree. Faith says that the light needs to continue to grow. In the church, Epiphany is that season of ever expanding light.