What's another week or so? But plenty of people will be pissed as HELL!

Some will feel it (if not paid, for example,) but largely the Country would survive.

difference does Jan. 3rd make?

I'm guessing the new House would not offer a bill that included funding for the wall and you are right Rump will still veto it. But perhaps the new Senate will override the veto??? Any guesses?

For the next two years?

least painful way to deal with this in the long run. A branded shutdown over this set of holidays is bad juju that he'll never live down. It will turn out to be easier to get rid of him than we might think at the moment.