From the Rector…
Last week I started noticing Christmas trees and decorations in people’s homes. Maybe this has been the trend, and I just didn’t realize it, but I always thought most people waited until after Thanksgiving to decorate. I wonder if the sudden increase in Christmas décor is connected to people’s feelings about the election and the growing division in the country. Christmas has always been a symbol of hope—and looking at Christmas decorations tends to lift people’s spirits, offering comfort and optimism for the future. It makes sense that, in the face of such challenges, people might want to start decorating early.
I don’t condone this behavior, but neither do I judge it. Most of you already know my views on how Christmas should be celebrated. The Christmas season doesn’t begin until December 25th and lasts through January 5th. I typically start putting up my Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving as part of my observance of Advent, adding something extra each week. On Christmas Eve, we finally decorate the Christmas tree. And yes, the leg lamp is lit starting with Advent I. I keep all my Christmas décor up through the twelve days of Christmas (which is more than just a song!) and take everything down on January 6th.
My approach to decorating is not simply about personal observance; it’s a way of entering into a rhythm of ordered living. The preparations for Christmas are about anticipation and hope, which is, in large part, what Advent is all about. Given the contentious election cycle and ongoing economic concerns, there’s an even greater need for hope and peace in a year filled with chaos. Though my anticipation for Christmas grows steadily as Advent approaches, I am not ready to throw my disciplined observance of the season out the window. Instead, I plan, dream, and reflect on the deeper reasons for this longing for peace and hope—especially at this time of year.. But I’m also not judging those who do feel this need to express their own hopes and desires for peace by decorating early.
The origins of Christmas are deeply rooted in a pagan winter solstice festival that long pre-dated Christianity or the birth of our Savior. These pagan festivals were meant to remind people that, even in the darkest days of winter, when light and food were scarce and survival was uncertain, spring would come. The world was growing lighter, and the darkness was beginning to recede. These festivals were meant to offer a reminder to hold on to hope. Christians adapted this pagan celebration, embracing its message of hope, peace, and light to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who promised he would come again. Now, it seems the pagans are reclaiming it (hahaha!), so we Christians can’t really get all that upset about them taking back what wasn’t originally ours.
Instead of getting worked up about how people are celebrating the holidays this year, or criticizing them for not observing the season the way we “liturgy snobs” like Mary Crowley might say is “proper,” maybe this year we should cut each other some slack. Let’s recognize that it’s been a difficult year, and we could all do with a little holiday cheer, joy, and peace–focusing on our own celebrations of ordered living and the hope it brings us.
After all, whether you decorate now and secretly watch The Grinch or you’re doubling down on the more traditional timing of seasonal celebrations, Thanksgiving seems to be the real loser in all of this. Maybe, this year, we should spend more time remembering what we are thankful for. In the end, our hope is tied to our gratitude. When we give thanks, we remember all that God has given us. If God has given us so much—or even just enough—why would we trust that he will continue to provide in the future?
Spread cheer, give thanks, and center your hope and trust in God. Have a holy, jolly Christmas this year!
Light and Life,
Candice+