It's unbelievable! I was out at some stores the other day, and do you know what? They're already decorated for Christmas! All the Christmas gifts are on display, and the seasonal music is playing, and yet there's still plenty of time until Christmas. I mean, my goodness! As I write this on December 9th, it's more than two weeks away!
How could stores be pushing the season so far ahead? Doesn't it really start on Christmas Eve? I don't know how many movies I've seen where the lead characters are barnstorming the stores looking for Christmas gifts as darkness begins to fall on the night before Christmas. Isn't that the way you do it?
Have you traveled around your neighborhood? Many houses already have outdoor displays. Some are minimalistic and pleasant, some are gaudy and loud, but almost all put a smile on your face, People already have begun to greet each other with "Merry Christmas!"
Officially, for many Catholics and Anglicans, the Christmas season doesn't start until Christmas and then runs through Epiphany(roughly January 6th). Technically, you're not supposed to put a tree until Christmas Eve, and some may not say Merry Christmas until the period. They have a time of reflection, prayer and preparation, a time period beginning in late November.
Of course, we are not just a religious nation, we are a nation dependent on an active and vibrant economy. The major season for many retailers is this Christmas season, and therefore, for commercial reasons, it is important to start Christmas earlier and earlier. It is not astonishing that many store are Christmasy right now, but many of them have been that way since the day after Halloween.
There is nothing wrong with launching the celebration of Christmas early on. It is especially nice if it puts you in a giving and friendly mood. It is not nice if it just makes you tense and worried about whether you have completed all your tasks, including decorating, checking off all the gifts you have to buy, racing from one party or Christmas obligation to another. It's not helpful if it gets you irritated at people whom you believe are not sufficiently enthusiastic about the season, or are not using the right words to express it. Whether it's Happy Holidays or Happy Hanukkah or Blessed Ramadan or Pagan's Joy to You or Season's greetings - all deserve a smile and a warm greeting in return. We are all children of God, and we all deserve love.
The true reason for the season becomes clearer as we get closer to the blessed date. And with reflection, we know the best ways to express this. Love your fellow man, reach out in peace, show generosity and support for the poor and disadvantaged, sing out with joy that a savior is born.
When does Christmas begin? It begins the moment you open up your heart to his love, and show kindness to all. May the Christmas season grow to encompass the entire year!
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