January 1

The tree is now outside, laying haphazardly on the curb. Once sparkling and dressed up with dozens of pretty packages under it's needles, it is now on top of a snow bank, looking awfully naked and used.

The fridge is back to it's normal pre-holiday ways. No more stuffed to the gills and overflowing with leftover cheese balls, meatballs, and other delicious balls that come along this time of year.

Hundreds of lights no longer reflect off the frozen snow and cold sidewalk after dark. The simple porch light is back to it's realistic, non indulgent ways.

Garland stripped from the mantle. Porcelain Santas stashes in boxes. Nativities carefully wrapped and packaged for another 48 weeks.

The trimmings and wrappings cleaned and put away. The weather seems suddenly colder without all the holiday ornamentation to buffer it's chilling icicles and bare, freezing nights.

But Christmas will hopefully live in my heart until next year. The reason we celebrated. The gift of the Savior. The hope that the atonement brings, no matter the season. Without a tree, without delicious cookies, without packages and garland and tiny scenes of the holy family in Bethlehem, we always have a reason to celebrate Christmas.