Christmas ... You're doing it wrong! At least, you're starting WAY too early. December 25 is the BEGINNING of the Christmas season. For 4 Sundays prior to that, you should be observing the season of Advent, which is a season of fasting, similar to Lent. Advent has been observed in the Christian Church since the 4th Century.
But everyone wants to skip Advent, and go directly to Christmas. I heard Christmas music on the radio this year, 4 days before Halloween. That is ridiculous. Trust me, Christmas is much more meaningful and profound if you observe the 4 weeks of Advent leading up to it.
To illustrate my point, I've taken a drag racing "Christmas Tree" (which is what drag racers call the timing lights at the starting line) and turned it into an "Advent Tree". The 3rd set of bulbs is rose-coloured for Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Well said! I was assaulted (really, that's how it felt) with "Here Comes Santa Claus" on my way to church the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving. Alas. Advent is an investment which should take time to grow and mature into a festive season, not a rush and bother and letdown after dinner on Christmas Day.
Thanks, FRA.
"Assaulted" captures how I felt, too. I think it's gotten to the point where even pagans (older ones, anyhow) are made uncomfortable by how early Christmas starts.
It's like the political season. The 2016 Presidential race will probably start before the 2012 election! LOL.
Post a Comment