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by Georgie Márquez-André December 6, 2005
CELEBRATION, n. A distinguishing by ceremonies, or by marks of joy or respect; as the celebration of a birth day, or other anniversary.
ADVENT, n. A coming; appropriately the coming of our Savior, and in the calendar, it includes four sabbaths before Christmas, beginning of St. Andrew's Day, or on the sabbath next before or after it. It is intended as a season of devotion, with reference to the coming of Christ in the flesh, and his second coming to judge the world. CHRISTMAS, n. The festival of the Christian church observed annually on the 25th day of December, in memory of the birth of Chris, and celebrated by a particular church service. The festival includes twelve days.
((Definitions taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.)
It's THAT time of the year again.
I am sorry, but the one thing I will never get used to here in the United States is how people celebrate Christmas now a days. What happened to Advent? How many of you reading this know that the Christmas season should go on for the twelve days AFTER December 25th?
Every year I struggle to get into "the Christmas spirit" along with the everybody else around me... but, inevitably I only really start getting excited towards the 22nd of December... and then... it ends!
One of the biggest culture shocks for me after moving to the US in my early 20's was learning that there are actually people who take down their Christmas decorations on the 26th! Goodness... that's just the beginning of the season! And there are those who hang on... and take everything down January 1st... How sad!
Please, if you are going to celebrate Christmas... celebrate Christmas. Before every big event, we wait... we don't celebrate the baby while his mother is still pregnant! This year... celebrate Advent during Advent... fill your hearts with the expectation that the light is coming... and THEN, celebrate Christmas. And not just for a day, and not just for the gifts. Let's bring back the twelve days of Christmas, and celebrate the Child who is the Light.
Have a blessed week.
And, please, don't forget... the agencies that provide relief to those still in need, are still in need of YOUR help: The Salvation Army, Operation Blessing, American Red Cross.
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