I’m fairly certain that most adult human beings have a knack for turning any topic into debate. Some subjects definitely seem to incite more contention than others. A particularly controversial theme that typically arises around this time every year has to do with decorating for Christmas. The question is: When is the “correct” time to do so?
There appear to be three main categories of people who have distinct opinions about the matter. First, there are those who adamantly frown upon those who “have the audacity” to decorate early. By early, I mean just before Thanksgiving. This group says the early decorators are a disgrace. If your roof-top, blow-up, ho-ho-ho-ing Santa is set upon his perch before a few days prior to Christmas, you’re too eager for your own good.
Are you in one of these Christmas decorating categories?
The group mentioned above actually has a sub-group. It includes those who happen to celebrate Advent, but with strict (self-imposed) rules. Their ire seems to be intensified from the rest of the group. The rest merely think it’s rude or rushing things to hang your holly ahead of schedule. This group comes right out to say you are going to you-know-where in a hand basket if you dare to decorate a tree or hang a “Christ is born!” sign ahead of schedule.
This group also demands that your Nativity scene had better not include the baby Jesus if it’s not yet Christmas Day. These people equate decorating early for Christmas with sacrilege.
Would the early Christmas decorators please rise?
There are also people who think that earlier is better. (This is my tribe.) As soon as Thanksgiving ends, their autumn decorations get stored away and out comes everything green, red, gold, silver and glittery. I celebrate Advent, so I see the weeks before Christmas as a season of preparation. It’s a time to pray and look forward to the coming celebration. Advent means we are eagerly awaiting our Guest of Honor (spiritually speaking, of course). As such, why not set the stage and get things ready to let Him know we are looking forward to His arrival? Far from being an abomination, I find early decorating a means of inspiration that sparks a flame in my heart. It also helps me focus on the “reason for the season.”
One more group of Christmas decorators
Finally, there are some people who say they could not care less when someone else decorates. To each, his own. Such people also tend to be among those who have multiple seasons of decorations, simultaneously hanging around their yards. A jack-o-lantern here, a giant balloon-turkey there and strands of icicle lights adorning their gutters. If you’re lucky, there might also be some red valentine hearts strategically placed on the front porch railing. Oh, and plastic Easter eggs in the mulch. Can you say, “Happy Thanks-o-ween-mas-easter-tine?”
It seems to me that, if God felt strongly one way or the other, He would have let us know. Perhaps, He’s just happy that people are thinking about Him at all, regardless of the timing of their Christmas decorating habits.
Writer Bio: Judy Dudich
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
