Christmas Still

Many pastors in the liturgical churches plod the honorable campaign of holding Christmas back a bit so that parishioners can enjoy a good and holy Advent, a spiritual preparation time for Christmas. It's a counter-cultural campaign that is not easy to wage, because the stores begin to roll out Christmas in October, and office parties begin immediately after Thanksgiving. Ignorance is part of the problem; it was only a few years ago that the not-so-venerable Minneapolis Star Tribune published a series of articles intended to commemorate the "Twelve Days of Christmas," beginning on December 13! Then--there's the utter disappearance of all things Christmas on December 26--or shortly thereafter. Woe to those gifted with a Brookstone gadget that doesn't work--the Roseville Mall kiosk had already disappeared by Monday morning, December 27--forcing treks to Mega Mall for the inevitable exchanges.

Personally and vocationally, Anglicat still wages the campaign. The family Christmas tree is displayed Thanksgiving week-end, but without Christmas ornaments until "Joy Sunday," the Third Sunday in Advent. The writing of Christmas cards is intentionally delayed until during the true twelve days of Yuletide. The freshness of Christmas carols is still enjoyed at home through Twelfth night, because the CDs were not hauled out until the Christmas tree was decorated. At church, parents are grateful that our Christmas pageant will take place this coming Sunday, after the hyperosity of the secular trappings has subsided.

So how about music at church? Well--pastors seeking to hold onto Christmas through Christmas have to campaign even against the latest in cultural trends at church, as well. This year's "Musician's Handbook" recommends nary a traditional carol except for "Once in Royal David's City" and "The First Nowell."

Christmas is such a profound miracle: God becoming man, that man might be reconciled to God. And the King born on Christmas shall reign forever and ever (halleluia! halleluia!). We need a season to prepare for commemorating this amazing gift, and more than a day to savor it. Merry Still Christmas!