Does anyone still wait till Christamas Eve to decorate the tree?

quote:

Do others agree with me that Christmas should certainly not start [in any overt fashion] before sunset on Christmas Eve?

I don't. I'm sure it has its merits, but my experience of this is that there's a strong tendency for people to think the way it was done in their childhood is best. I'm older than you and I didn't know anyone as a child who did it the way you describe, so it may not be that you're out of date, but that your family had brought traditions from elsewhere?

The Lutheran way from Norway. My mother was Norwegian. Mind you they get straight on and open the presents on Christmas Eve, and we waited till Christmas morning! So a combined tradition.

Somehow I assumed that Advent was rather important, and holding back on starting Christmas made the event all the more important.

So not so much out of date as just a foreigner!

ATB from George

People do what they choose to do.

The following is by no means to cause an argument, simply an outline of the Christian liturgical seasons at this time of year, by way of my answer to the OP's question.

Advent from 4th Sunday before Christmas Day to 24th December a.m. A season of simplicity and preparation before the Feast of Christmas.

Christmas from Christmas Eve, 24th December p.m. to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord, 6th January).

By ancient custom, the season continued through to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, on the 40th day after birthday, 2nd February.

One year we did go from 24th December to 2nd February. Never again!

[When I was young, we decorated the Tree on my birthday (23rd).]

We have also gone from 24th December to the Eve of Epiphany (12th Night).

Now we BEGIN decorating the Tree and house on 17th December (the date on which the Church changes gear and starts thinking about Christmas and the Nativity, rather than the coming again of Christ, which occupies the Church's thinking up to then). And we add a few more decoration each day until it is completely decorated by Christmas Eve. And we take the decoations down on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Hope that - without judging, criticising and commenting on what anyone else may choose to do - that answers your Qn. George?

James

I decorate early on but like the fact that you suggested otherwise.

All the best George.

No tree, no decorations and no gifts in our house.


Bruce

I'll plug ours in anytime within a couple of weeks of xmas.

It's all humbug any way.It's not even a christian festival, (as usual) just another one usurped from the so called heathens, by the self righteous church.

Howard, I know there's no point in me saying anything because you're simply not interested in hearing it, but you do need to check out your history a bit better...

The first 'public' celebration of Christmas in Rome on 25th December (the 'old' date for the winter solstice) happened very soon after the de-criminalisation of Christianity with the Edict of Milan.

The Roman pagan (allegedly-ancient) feast of 'the birth of the unconquered sun', was barely older itself, having only recently been introduced by the Emperor Aurelian.

Again, I know you won't be interested, it is primarily for a theological reason that the Christian Church celebrates the birth of Christ at the darkest, bleakest time of year.

However, it was only from as recently as the C18th that it became common for scholars to say that the date used for Christmas was symbolic. More recent scholarship recognises that 25th December is a perfectly reasonable date for the birth of Christ.

I admire Bruce for having nothing around the 25th December. Courage of his convictions.

It really is rather boring to say that everyone else (pagans, other religions, athiests and wintervalists) is allowed to have a winter solstice festival, except the nasty old Christians.

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:

The following is by no means to cause an argument...
James

It's rather a sad reflection on this forum that you have to add caveats to such a topic James.

quote:

It really is rather boring to say that everyone else (pagans, other religions, athiests and wintervalists) is allowed to have a winter solstice festival, except the nasty old Christians.

No reason at all for them to celebrate whatever festival when ever, but christians decided that they were the only religion allowed and tried to put all the others down. Building their churches on previous religious sites etc, even making it illegal to worship any other gods.

Very difficult to confirm your historical accounts as it was probably the christian side that could actually write, so probably a little one sided.

Christianity also allowed many other religions to exist along side them, Mayan,Aztec etc.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

It really is rather boring to say that everyone else (pagans, other religions, athiests and wintervalists) is allowed to have a winter solstice festival, except the nasty old Christians.

No reason at all for them to celebrate whatever festival when ever, but christians decided that they were the only religion allowed and tried to put all the others down. Building their churches on previous religious sites etc, even making it illegal to worship any other gods.

Very difficult to confirm your historical accounts as it was probably the christian side that could actually write, so probably a little one sided.

Christianity also allowed many other religions to exist along side them, Mayan,Aztec etc.

It might be worth mentioning that this time of year is also associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Oh, and the Jews could write things down too. In fact they had been for a teensy few years BC. At risk of stirring the pot you might also find they knock Christianity into a cocked hat when it comes to religious intransigence and insularity.

The solstice is a fairly obvious time for different cultures to choose as a point of reflection/renewal.

Personally I find New Year has more resonance, I always consider that a nice time to reflect on time past and things to come. For me Xmas is the festival of consumption, and for families with kids. For my wife it is pretty pointless too. She is Jewish, although I have forgiven her for this.

Bruce

I like the American universal greeting that starts in the middle of October and goes into January

"Happy Holidays"

guaranteed to meet all eventualities

Bah Humbug, I don't do a tree because it's a waste, tho quite beautiful, I'll enjoy those around town.

Finding nasty comments about religions is a waste of time. Wars and lives have been lost just by people's greed, so get over it. The best part of religions focus on spirituality and doing good. Put that in your heart and you'll be better off. Otherwise you just spread the crap thicker and harden your heart.

Dear Glenn,

I shall assemble my modest little Christmas decs tomorrow [a nine inch artificial tree with straw decorations], because I want some prettiness while forced from work, so never mind the humbug for me.

You always post something to make me happy.

Christams goodwill and best wishes from George

Did ours yesterday when I had an unexpected window because of a cancelled business trip to Bicester. Family appreciated a surprise day with dad at this time of year.

But as a punishment for doing the tree early, the boiler has broken down, so no heat or hot water, and a crazed wife

(Mud - ours is an artificial that has done many years, with many years to come, so although not totally carbon neutral, its footprint gets smaller each year.)

Hi guys and gals, (ooops, I was chastised for using the gals comment in grad school, "they" thought it demeaning so we guys said they couldn't use guys, to their objection of course) but I digress.

I see the pics of Europe snowbound, so gorgeous but I grew up back east and know the feelings, great as a kid tho. I'm down on the coast with my 89 yo folks. Last night at dinner it was not what you'd expect from a retirement home, all the oldies were dressed in finest and great dinner. Another one tonight, woke at 5AM, yes, problems sleeping. Foggy out, like living in a cloud. It has lifted now and a chilly 51, that's why I love SoCal. And my new garden after the rains we had in LA is sprouting native bulbs I put in and won't have to be watered for a month or more. Life is good. The old geezers at breakfast hall were laughing like little children, so great to see.

Thanks George, I try to make things positive after all I'm hitting 57 on the 29th, Mom says she's sorry to have me at that time but I get to celebrate my BD all week long. I'll be driving up the central coast and New Years in Santa Barbara. You won't believe the friend's house where I'm staying and taking care of Julia Child's kitty stalking the bamboo garden and koi pond. I'll post some pics when I get back on the 2nd.

My best to you all with a white Christmas, just like a good Dickens story. I saw The King's Speech 2 nights ago, great movie then Indian food, mmm good.

Oh thought I'd say I have a small box in my closet. I put up grandma's felt stocking and my sister made B&W stuffed dogs when she had kids and a couple toys I had as a kid. All displayed in front of my 46" flatscreen I bought with my Ford stock that tripled last year.

I got waaaay to many sweets and chocolates this year, guess I must have done something right. Tho I don't know why Turner Movies is putting on Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf tonight? I've never been able to watch more than 20 minutes of it.

Can you tell I need a little diversion down here at the folks? Always good to get online and chat with those naimies on line and across the pond.