I was happy yesterday to see that the big Christmas tree was still up at the Grand-Place, the historic center of Brussels. It lent some light and color to an otherwise cold, wet day.
I am always disappointed when I see Christmas trees cast aside immediately after Christmas. When I was growing up, it was traditional to wait at least until Epiphany, the celebration of the arrival of the Magi, though I seem to recall some of my neighbors keeping their Christmas tree and lights going for an even longer period of time.
The Grand-Place is always so much fun to visit. The buildings on each side of the square are all different and different elements attract my attention each time that I visit. In the first photo below, you can see the tall town hall in the background. The second image shows the building directly opposite the square from the town hall.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
We always kept our tree up until Epiphany, too, and I’ve carried on the tradition. Even the decorated boats in the harbor here keep their lights shining until after New Year’s Day. I think everyone enjoys seeing that light shining in the darkness. And this is quite a tree. I especially like the first photo.
Some leave them up until the 9th for the Baptism of Jesus. A Sister informed me of that earlier on Facebook.
A new neighbor is from Ethiopia. She is a Coptic Christian; in her faith, Christmas was celebrated on 07 January 2017. So as it turns out, you were right — Christmas wasn’t over when you published this post, Mike. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!
That’s cool to hear, Walter. For what it’s worth, I’ve been told that the 12 days of Christmas in the song begin with Christmas and end in the first week of January.