Article by Phoenix writer Mary O’Brien ’27:
I love the season of Christmas. It is not only a holiday, but a feeling that every Christian is familiar with. It brings warmth into our lives and reminds us of the comforts of home and family.
It starts with childhood, and the anticipation of a break from school and the coming of Santa Claus. Every kid waits patiently for December 25th to arrive by making wish lists and working hard to stay on the “nice list.” Then, the magic of Christmas morning comes and the nostalgic site of a glistening Christmas tree with unopened presents underneath.
As one matures, receiving gifts and expecting Santa matter less and less. The real meaning of Christmas is prioritized through spending time with family, giving back to those less fortunate, and above all, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is a great holiday and deserves the attention it receives. But I ask you this: what about Thanksgiving?
It seems to me that every year Christmas is being celebrated earlier and earlier. People begin decorating as soon as Halloween has passed, but some strive to start bringing Christmas cheer as early as September. Department stores begin stocking their shelves with Christmas decorations and greeting cards ridiculously early.
Despite this, the fall season is truly an exceptional time of year. Autumn is a period dedicated to thanking God for the many blessings he has given us. The leaves change color, signifying the changing weather as nature prepares for winter. Then there are the activities, such as going to an apple orchard or pumpkin picking, and the fall flavors that we all love and look forward to, such as pumpkin spice. In addition, the holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. All Hallows Eve is an American tradition that has been celebrated for years and is enjoyed by people of all ages. Putting on costumes and going house to house to get candy is something that all Americans can relate to. Thanksgiving in particular, a day that focuses on gratitude and sharing a meal with loved ones, is overshadowed when too many people do not even bother to put up Thanksgiving decorations, rushing, instead, to display their holiday lights and wreaths. This time of year is spectacular and should not be ignored or rushed.
Unfortunately, in our eagerness to celebrate Christmas as early as possible, Autumn does not get the glory it deserves. We have forgotten how to live in the moment. We live in a world that expects its inhabitants to live a rushed lifestyle. We are being bombarded with never ending demands, forcing us to always be on our feet and never truly relaxed. Then there are the distractions, which have increased with the development of technology. All of these factors contribute to why it is difficult for people to stop and appreciate what is actually happening around them.
The holiday season is largely pushed upon us too early by the department stores and companies. They make a large profit from Christmas products, and so put them out as soon as possible to increase customer demand. In their attempt to give us ample time to prepare for all of the gift giving festivities, they really cause more harm than good by stressing us out. Walking into a store in early November for some leisurely shopping and seeing Christmas decorations, cards, and gifts everywhere will shock a consumer into thinking that they have to get it all done right away, even though that is not the case. In this way, the greed of manufacturers has given us the impression that Christmas is the only holiday that matters.
Despite everyone wanting to rush into the season of Christmas, Advent does not actually begin until either late in November or early December. Therefore, it is not truly appropriate to begin celebrating the Christmas season until sometime after Thanksgiving. In addition to this, it is not necessary to put your Christmas tree out on the curb on December 26th, because the Christmas season does not end until the Epiphany on January 6th. Therefore, I believe that not only should we wait to celebrate Christmas later, but that we should also extend the season farther.
I encourage everyone to be present throughout the year. Be grateful for where you are, and remember that by slowing down and embracing the moment, we allow ourselves to count the many blessings we have been given and to prepare our hearts for the true meaning of Christmas. Let us not forget that Thanksgiving is necessary to complete the Christmas season, and by experiencing both, we will have a more fulfilling holiday season.
But what do I know?
