After waiting 14 years to host a match on Boxing Day, it took Celtic a little longer to demonstrate the benefits of staying home at this time of year.
For 44 minutes, Brendan Rodgers' side looked lethargic and uninspired. Another long fight like the one they endured at Tannadice on Sunday was on the cards.
However, by the time the pies were consumed at the interval, the benefits of the club's summer splurge were evident.
A cross from Paulo Bernardo led to a penalty that Arne Engels converted with aplomb.
Celtic were rarely in danger from then on. While Rodgers was piling up substitutes, his players were piling up goals. Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate pounced in no time.
An afternoon of testing turned into an extremely comfortable afternoon. Suggestions that Celtic's efforts on Tayside last time out were indicative of a wider malaise were dismissed.
Arne Engels celebrates the decisive goal from the penalty spot
Engels scored the penalty for Celtic just before half-time.
Rodgers was pleased to see his team win again after a goalless draw against Dundee United.
As the end of the year approaches, it seems unlikely that Rodgers' team will endure the kind of calamity Rangers will need if they are to take the title away from them.
They have only dropped four points in 17 Premiership games. Eight points better than at these junctures last season, the improvement year after year is evident.
Even when they weren't at their best, since they were here for a while. They invariably find a way to get the job done.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell took umbrage at the “soft” nature of the penalty which saw Hyun-jun Yang fall to the Aston Oxborough challenge. Beyond that, visitors could not have any complaints.
They fell apart in the second half and the commendable levels of concentration they had shown in the first half disappeared.
Getting this out of his system before Rangers arrive at Fir Park on Sunday won't be easy.
Kyogo Furuhashi's poor performance in Tannadice relegated him to the bench with Adam Idah as the starter. Neither Auston Trusty nor Kuhn were considered fit enough to start, although both were in reserve.
For quite some time, Kettlewell couldn't have asked more of his players. Compact, organized and fired up, they resisted Celtic very little in terms of golden opportunities.
Daizen Maeda's diving header puts Celtic two to nil against Motherwell
The Japanese winger is congratulated by his teammate Yang
Substitute Nicolas Kuhn ignored his recent injury scare and made it 3-0.
The German's effort is applauded by Maeda (left) and Kyogo Furuhashi (right).
On one flank, Maeda got few changes from Marvin Kaleta. On the other hand, Yang worked hard against Ewan Wilson.
On the rare occasions when either of Celtic's wingers got away from their man, their deliveries left a lot to be desired.
A lack of concentration at the other end by Yang when the game was settled could well have proved costly. Tawanda Maswanhise took advantage of his stumble but his theatrics in the area cost him a yellow card.
Callum McGregor's attempt to break the deadlock ended with his shot from 20 yards being deflected and cleared.
It would become the theme of the home team's first 44 minutes. Lack of inspiration. A lot of frustration.
Motherwell's impressive organization had a lot to do with it. So was the desire of Rodgers' players to provide an extra touch when it wasn't always necessary.
Greg Taylor's risky cross-field pass was cut out by Maswanhise. The Zimbabwean advanced and played Tom Sparrow with a back heel. Cameron Carter-Vickers' intervention ensured Motherwell only won a corner.
Lennon Miller's slip when Celtic tried to counter-attack managed to eliminate his team-mate Harry Paton.
Reo Hatate completed the scoring for the champions with a great goal
Hatate celebrates the 4-0 with his teammates Ralston and McCowan
Idah moved forward at a good pace and then fed Maeda. The winger's shot was fired high by Oxborough. Wilson was brave and alert to clear the ball from his own goal line.
Idah failed to find the target with a shot from the edge of the area while off balance, then fired into Oxborough's arms on an occasion when Maeda found him with a cross.
Yang lost Wilson for the first time only to discover that the player had recovered in time to prevent his shot from finding its target.
Motherwell came close to a precious and well-deserved clean sheet at half-time, but sadly, not close enough.
Just when Kettlewell's mind would have focused on his team talk during the interval, everything changed.
Bernardo's cross seemed destined to be repelled by the visiting defense until a deflection stopped it.
Oxborough was already committed, but found himself with work to do to get Yang the ball. The South Korean's pace allowed him to win the race on foot.
Referee Ross Hardie immediately pointed to the spot. The VAR carried out the control maneuvers, but it was clear that the goalkeeper had made a mistake.
Engels changed his routine, flicking the ball low to the goalkeeper's right from 12 yards, but maintained his perfect record from the penalty spot for Celtic.
Having invested so much in the game, you felt Motherwell had to take advantage of the next big moment that came their way when they re-emerged. Miller's corner was met with a powerful header from Kaleta. Of all, teammate Tony Watt accidentally blocked the attempt on the line.
Kettlewell would have feared what happened next. Engel's corner from the Celtic left had speed and precision. Liam Scales got up and helped him put it on. A diving header from Maeda helped Celtic get the three points.
Rodgers brought in Furuhashi, Kuhn and Hatate, then Luke McCowan and Alex Valle. It was the last thing Motherwell's tired legs needed.
Kuhn put the matter beyond doubt with a shot from the edge of the box that caught an ankle on its way to the bottom left corner.
Hatate completed the scoring in similar fashion with nine minutes remaining, his right foot clipping a boot as he beat Oxborough to his left.
Having struggled to advance, Celtic's quality helped them to a comfortable victory in the end.