WLSU, Christmas Is Over - The Rev. Philip DeVaul

We took down our Christmas tree last night. We are not an organized people, the DeVauls, so there are still plenty of decorations up, waiting to be boxed and stored til next December. But the trash man was coming today, and we needed to get that tree to the curb.

When we set the tree up, we make a big deal out of it. I am one of those sticklers for a real tree. I am not judging you for your fake tree. Well, I probably am a little bit, but only a little bit, because I really believe you should do whatever you need to do to enjoy your holiday season. You don’t need me to micromanage your joy.

But I am difficult and stubborn and ritualistic about how we do Christmas. We have found our Christmas tree place, so it will be nearly impossible for me to be convinced to look elsewhere next year. We will get a tree the first week of Advent, we will make hot chocolate and put on pajamas. My wife is in charge of the lights. I am in charge of the music. We listen to the same music every year. The kids insist that the first song be Bob Dylan singing “Must be Santa”. I have indoctrinated them well.

There are no good songs for taking down Christmas decorations. That’s what I have realized, and I hate it. We have no ritual for stripping the tree and dumping it in the street. I grabbed the box for the decorations and called the kids over. My wife didn’t even bother looking up. “What should we listen to?” I asked. Nobody had any answers. “Christmas music?” I suggested. My daughter just said, “Nah. Christmas is over.”