A Hallmark display at a local store recently caught my eye. The sign above the holiday greeting cards declared: Christmas is Monday, December 25th.
Christmas is on December 25th this year. Good to know.
Many bemoan how the holidays seem to come earlier each year. Retailers anxious for Christmas sales begin Black Friday sales on July 4th. Costco erected a winter wonderland of snowmen and penguins in September. XM Radio premiered their holiday stations on November 1.
And Hobby Lobby . . . well, the home goods store celebrates three seasons: Last Christmas, This Christmas, and Next Christmas.
I’ve always resisted the Hallowthankmas madness, choosing to observe the day after Thanksgiving as the personal advent of my holiday season. However, this year I’ve experienced a Dicken’s-like change of heart.
The day after Christmas always dawns with an awareness that I never accomplished everything intended during the holiday rush. December days rush by so quickly with over-committed calendars and hectic schedules.
In addition, Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, and churches will spend December 24th in the Prenatal Waiting Room, anticipating Jesus’ arrival. Northside Church features SIX—count them, SIX—worship services, including 11:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:30, and 11:00.
So this year I’m celebrating an early Christmas.
I’m decking the halls, listening to Christmas music, and singing The Twelve . . . well, I DO draw the line at singing The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Five Nativity Scenes adorn my office. An old fashioned, candle ornament is plugged into an outlet, bubbling merrily away. I’ve been sipping eggnog since mid-November. And if I had some chestnuts, they would be roasting on an open fire.
Oh, I fight the occasional urge to say: Bah, humbug. I’m a recovering Scrooge with occasional lapses. However, life’s too short to miss the advent of the Holy Day Season.
Christmas is Monday, December 25th this year.
But why wait? Celebrate an early Christmas today.
Treasure in Jars of Clay 
I totally agree.
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You’re right the day after Thanksgiving is too late to start shopping, wrapping, and mailing and so I did what “Grandmother’s” have always done… I shop all during the year when items I think somebody might want are on sale! The trick is to remember where I’ve hid the items! Enjoy this Holy Season!
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Becky took the words right off my page. It helps #1. save money spreading out purchases over the year, and #2. reminds us that Christmas should be celebrated every day in many different ways.
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