Oh, Christmas tree, that is still standing…

I am writing this piece beginning Friday, Jan. 10. It is now 5:30 a.m.

I look outside to the street. On the windowpane is the reflection of tiny white lights from our Christmas tree.

I have yet to take that stuff down and store it all away. I really should do so today. My goal for this chore is on Epiphany, which always falls on Jan. 6, 12 days after Christmas. I am now four days late.

Thankfully, there is no city ordinance that requires that I take it down now. No one is forcing me. Yet I really need to get it done.

I ask myself why this is so difficult? Why do I procrastinate? This is all rhetorical. I know the answer. The reason why is because it takes so long.

When viewed from afar, the finished work of our Christmas tree reflects beauty and simplicity. Yet, it is only intended for a short while. For me, it would lose its impact if become commonplace.

Upon closer inspection, however, it has far greater complexity, being a truly eclectic collection. At the center is where a tiny creche scene resides. We have a ton of other sacred symbols on the branches that include angels. Saint Nicholas is represented several times.

The secular is also included. We have handmade items from when our kids were much younger. Also, there are some fancy retro-type creations from when Jeanne and I were growing up.

We have a few humorous ornaments. They include Buddy the Elf, The Hulk, Snoopy kissing Lucy van Pelt and a tiny replica of the cruise ship we took to Mexico.

A number of these items are quite fragile, being ceramic or glass. A few are made of sturdy metal, wood, or hard plastic. Some are quite small. A handful of them are much larger. Some require batteries, which need to be taken out; otherwise, this might lead to corrosion. All of this makes the process of packaging and storage complicated.

Some say Christmas should last all year long in order to capture and promote the simple message of love, peace, joy and a heart of giving.

In practical terms, if this were the case, I might leave our tree standing as a permanent fixture (although a nightmare to dust).

The symbol of the babe in the manger captures this vision of well-intended wishes – representing a simple loving faith in daily living. It is a wonderful notion.

However, upon closer inspection, our lives may not be so elementary. They can be filled with complicated challenges; many may not be helped by what they perceive as child-like, pat answers.

I adore the babe in the manger for a short while at Christmas, but I soon need him to mature to enter my world.

Update on Jan. 11: So I finally took down the tree. Time to move on, and back into adult Christianity.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 30 years.