The End of the Christmas Season

My Christmas tree

The rush to undo Christmas has always been something of an issue for me. Maybe it’s because, in contemporary American society, the build up to Christmas now begins at Halloween. I guess by the end of December, people are pretty tired of all the hoopla. I always wondered about this apparent longing for Christmas that makes us want to anticipate its arrival for months. I know that most of us have been conditioned by retail to respond this way, but they didn’t get us on the hook without our cooperation. The Christmas season is an invitation not only to shop, but also for our better selves to come out of hiding. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is perhaps the foundational document of this aspect of Christmas today. For people of my generation, television attempted to promote “the true meaning of Christmas” through shows like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. 

 One of my favorite Christmas albums is “The Bells of Dublin” by the Chieftains. On it, there’s a contemporary song called “The Rebel Jesus” written and performed by Jackson Browne.  A verse in that song captures, I think, what I’m trying to say:

“We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if anyone of us should interfere
In the business of why they’re poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus.”

In the song, there follows a kind of apology for the singer’s cynicism, which, I am afraid, I share. I guess I always want to shout “What about “goodwill” the rest of the year? Instead, it’s back to business as usual. Maybe the pressure to be good is just too much for us.

My creche 

For many years, I often felt the same way. Maybe not for exactly the same reasons though. For most of my life, I simply didn’t get Christmas the way I assumed other people did. I understood the spiritual meaning and savored the opportunity to focus on God’s becoming one of us. I loved (and still do) the liturgy and music of Advent and Christmas. But the holly jolly part always eluded me. It always seemed like forced fun to me. I have always felt a tad guilty about that, too. But that’s why I was always glad to see Christmas go. I could finally escape the expectation to be merry. Let’s just get back to everyday life. I’m much more comfortable there.

Christmas Baking

This year, however, without the responsibilities of work, I have enjoyed Christmas for what seems like the first time since childhood. I spent long hours baking gifts, wrapping presents, decorating my little house, and listening to Christmas music non-stop. I could unplug the timer and light the lights on my little tree during the day, if I felt like it. I had the luxury of focusing all my energy on Christmas. This year Christmas was not just another thing that I “had to” do. I recognize fully, that this is a luxury, a gracious gift that I have been given. I don’t know if this has changed me permanently; but I suspect that it has given me a different perspective on Christmas.  I’ll give you the rest of the lyrics to “The Rebel Jesus” as a way ending.

“But pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
There's a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus.”

OK, I’m not a heathen and a pagan, I am a Christian. Still, I can share those sentiments.

The Christmas lights on the cottage

So, this year I am sad to see Christmas go. Yesterday was the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the liturgical end of the Christmas season for Catholics. I had intended to begin taking down the decorations today, but, instead, I am writing this.

I know that Christmas can’t last forever, but maybe just one more day . . .