Love Doesn’t Belong in a Box

When the Christmas decorations come down, a sense of emptiness often fills the room. That once-vibrant Christmas tree, which stood as the glowing centerpiece of our homes, suddenly looks bare, dry, and perhaps even a bit sad. It’s a stark visual reminder of how quickly the "festive spirit" can evaporate. But as we strip the tinsel and lights, we must ask ourselves: Are we also stripping away the kindness, peace, and spiritual warmth we cultivated over the holidays?

The end of the Christmas season shouldn't mean the end of our inner light. Our faith is meant to be evergreen, even when the festivities fade. Christmas is beautiful—it is shiny and fragrant. But the true gift is what lies inside. After the holidays, we put the ornaments into boxes and store them in the basement. However, there are things that simply do not belong in a box in the cellar.

Just as a tree eventually begins to shed its needles, our patience and grace often "fall off" as the January grey sets in and the reality of daily stress returns. We must not "undress" ourselves from our humanity. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord reminds us of our permanent dignity.

Christ didn't stay in the manger; He went out into the world. We, too, should step into the ordinary days not as bare, undecorated trees, but as people carrying the warmth of Bethlehem within us. We must never strip away the love.

The essence remains. The message of Christmas is Love that came into this world and will continue to be in our lives—if, of course, we let it stay.