Christmas Trees

As each year goes by, it seems easier and easier to forget when the Christmas season truly starts and ends. By no individual fault, we are all enveloped in a consumer culture that finds it convenient to advertise as soon as it is seasonally feasible. This feasibility has now crept back to early November, before all the leaves have fallen and the jump scares from Halloween activities are still fresh in our minds.

However, as we are annually reminded at Mass and hopefully through our everyday Catholic activities, our faith calendar begins with Advent. We wait in humble anticipation for the birth of our Lord and Savior, looking forward to the period in which we welcome Him into the world. This period REALLY STARTS on Christmas Eve and goes through the celebration of Epiphany (and even through to the Baptism of the Lord). Every year, though, it seems that people’s Christmas trees betray this seasonal distinction.

It is understandable that a Christmas tree needs to be put up before Christmas proper. The hustle and bustle of the week or so before Christmas Day often necessitates rigid schedules, in particular for young families. It is important, though, to remind the rest of the world (and sometimes ourselves, to be honest) that we should take the time to celebrate the joy of the TRUE Christmas season as it is actually occurring.

That said, it should be simple for folks with artificial Christmas trees to endeavor to keep their tree up through January 6th. For those with natural Christmas trees, do your best! The closer to Christmas Day you are able to put up your tree, the longer it should be able to last with adequate care (water, lighting, stable location). If you live in a municipality that expects trees out on your doorstep December 26th, feel free to give your town/city office a call to gently explain the reason for withholding the premature disposal of your tree. They will undoubtedly benefit from such insightful and graceful knowledge.

Have a happy Advent season and a very merry Christmas! God bless!


Jon Jozefowicz
Parishioner