It’s that time, again.

Of course, it’s been sneaking up on us for several weeks, now. Dribs and drabs of “seasonal” merchandise have been appearing on retailers' shelves, and there have been more and more Order Now!! ads appearing on tv.

These were just a precursor to the onslaught that is the Christmas shopping season.

Each day more and more store shelves are overflowing with decorations, gift items, and other seasonal merchandise. Any day now the occasional Christmas tune will be slipped into the rotation on local radio stations.

In fact, the local “Oldies” station will soon begin playing nothing but Christmas music – except for the blessed relief of a couple of nationally-syndicated “countdown” programs – as the American Thanksgiving approaches, and will continue until Christmas has come and gone.

The weather over the past couple of weeks has been fabulous, and I noticed many home-owners out putting up lights and other decorations. I can’t say as I blame them – I can recall being up on a ladder replacing all the burnt-out bulbs in much more inclement weather.

My hope is (although, I have already been proven wrong, here) that most people will wait until December 1st to turn on the lights and Christmas inflatables.

I love Christmas. I really do. However, I believe the “season” has been extended far beyond what is appropriate.

Yes, I understand that the retail market is very competitive, and that especially the national retailers have to do all they can to entice shoppers into feeding the monster that is the Christmas shopping season, convincing them that it is never too early to buy more and more gifts to show your loved ones how much you care – and no payments until February!

That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Another aspect I find curious is the “Santa STOP Here!” signs that have sprouted on lawns over the past few years.

Really, I’m okay with the concept of Santa Claus; he represents the spirit of giving – exchanging gifts with one another to show that we care.

I know! Our modern Santa is a creation of, and essentially is a shill for, the retail industry. Still, I like the “Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus, he lives in the hearts of all… etc” spirit-of-Christmas Santa.

I can even appreciate the Santa “who brings toys to all the good little girls and boys.”

I just don’t understand why sending Santa a letter (North Pole, Canada H0H 0H0) or an email woudn’t be enough, and why a sign needs to be stuck into the lawn on in the front window to demand that Santa stop at a particular house.

A sign. Really?

In all fairness, some of the signs do say “Please.” And, there are some that say “Santa STOPS Here” – letting neighbours and passers-by know that Santa does visit that particular home.

And I know some will say, “It’s just a sign – a joke. Get over it!” But still, what message is it sending to our children: if you demand something, you will receive it?

Not very Christmas-y, in my opinion.

No, I tend to the more tradition celebrations of Christmas. I am willing to adapt, and will accept that technology has helped us in our celebrations – electric lights, then mini-lights and now LEDs have greatly increased the safety aspect of having a Christmas tree in the house. (In the mid-70s one of our neighbours had their tree catch fire on Christmas morning, they having left their lights plugged in when they went to visit grandma that morning.)

I can accept some of the inflatable yard decorations, although I do feel some go a bit overboard (ie: if you can’t see the house…?).

While I do feel, as a Christian, that we should carry the spirit of Christmas in our hearts year-round, I believe that the festive celebration of the season of Christmas should be somewhat limited, if not to the month of December, then at not starting before the first Sunday in Advent (which this year is 27 November).

Yet, as a Christian, I am not overly disturbed by the “secularization” of Christmas. After all, we’re talking about a celebration imposed on a pagan society, usurping a pagan festival with a church-sanctioned “holy day,” one that isn’t even seasonally accurate to begin with.

Christians, those who identify themselves as “Believers,” and other, occasional church-goers (ie: those who only recognize the church with either Poinsettias or Lilies surrounding the Communion Table) will celebrate Christmas as they always have.

People of other Faith communities will celebrate it, or not, as they always have.

I can live with the occasional “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays,” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

It really is the spirit of Christmas that is most important, not the trimmings and trappings of the season, however nice they may be.

As I said, I love Christmas, and I wish all the best of the season to all.

Christmas is a special time of the year, but the special-ness is somewhat diminished by drawing it out for too long.

I can wait until the first of December to begin displaying my “Christmas spirit.”


But… that’s just my opinion.