The holiday season—what we generically just call
Christmastime—is actually a long sequence of festal revelries and
liturgical rites stretching from the end of November through the beginning of
January that are collectively known as Yuletide.
Beginning with Advent, a time of preparation and repentance,
proceeding to Christmas, a time of celebration and generosity, and concluding
with Epiphany, a time of remembrance and thanksgiving, Yuletide traditions
enable us to see out the old year with faith and love while ushering in the new
year with hope and joy.
It is a
season fraught with meaning and significance. Unfortunately, it is also such a busy season that its
meaning and significance can all too easily be obscured either by well-intended
materialistic pursuits—frenzied shopping trips to the mall to find just the
right Christmas gift—or by the less benign demands, desires, wants, and needs
which are little more than grist for human greed. The traditions of Yuletide were intended to guard us against
such things—and thus, are actually more relevant today than ever before.
1 comment:
Dr. Grant, it had been a while since I last read your blog, but this was a good reminder to celebrate and commemorate the life of Christ in its proper season. This time of year is replete with opportunities to reflect and remember. Thank you.
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