Bishop John C. Wester, of the Diocese of Salt Lake City is inviting his flock to not decorate or celebrate Christmas until December 24^th when Christmas begins.

Excerpt:

“As we renew our sense of the liturgical celebration of time, I encourage you to remain faithful to the celebration of the four weeks of Advent. As I mentioned earlier, it is so easy to be consumed by the hype of the “holiday season”: to decorate our churches and houses for Christmas, to spend more time shopping than in prayer, and to host Christmas parties before the season has arrived. I know it is an enormous challenge to remain faithful to the Advent season when we are surrounded by a society which, while claiming to be Christian, does not take the time to reflect and prepare as the church calls us to do.

As Catholics, we must celebrate Advent differently. Our reckoning of time is itself a sacramental witness to the fullness of the paschal mystery. If we were to skip the Advent season or any other season, we would impoverish that witness. We are very lucky to have a Church who has provided us with seasons to bear witness to the great mysteries of our faith. As Christians, these celebrations and our observance of time help us witness the truth and beauty of the risen Christ.”

You can read the Bishops Pastoral letter, “Waiting in Joyful Hope” here.

Deacon and I have been observing Advent the last few years. Well for the most part. We have to attend his company Christmas party since he is a senior manager. But we don’t put on Christmas music until the evening of the 24^th. Not even Handles Messiah our all time favorite.

We were surprised to learn shortly after moving to Iowa, that the natives put up their Christmas decorations right after thanks giving. And everything comes down the day after Christmas.

But the Christmas season in the Church does not end until the Baptism of the Lord (Jan. 9 this year).