The Christmas Season Has NOT Begun

I read an article on our local news station's website recently. It said that the mayor of Springfield "started the Christmas season" by lighting the city's Christmas tree. Ummmm . . . how can I say this?

NO!

No one in all of creation can begin the Christmas season early. Yes, you can begin to celebrate it before you are supposed to, but you cannot make something start before its time. It would be comparable to a couple having intimate relations before they are married (oh, wait, yeah, people commit that sin as well, don't they?).

The Christmas season is from Christmas Eve until (at least) Epiphany. We have not even begun Advent yet, and that is the preparation for Christmas; it is not a part of the Christmas season. Do not get this wrong just because the world is messed up about what Christmas is and when it begins. I strongly encourage you not to skip Advent by beginning your Christmas celebration before Christmas starts.

Christmas is a liturgical observance of the Catholic Church and not of the world (no matter how many people want to hijack it for their own purposes). The world is not in charge of determining Christmas (and the mayor of Springfield is in for a very harsh awakening on Judgment Day if he thinks that he is in charge of it!). Just because someone chooses to do something before they are supposed to does not change reality.

Advent begins on the first Sunday of Advent (December 1st this year). Christmas begins on Christmas Eve (and not one moment before!). It is not an arbitrary choice for these days and times. The Church, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, has given us the observances we have for our spiritual benefit. Do not ignore the revelation of God by choosing your own way to celebrate the Nativity of Christ Jesus our Lord.