A Declaration of Hope

As a linear thinker, Kathryn Pasker Ineck wrestles with finding the 'right' time to decorate.  

I did a weird thing on my way to work this morning. I turned on the radio. 

I know, I know; that doesn’t sound super weird. 

The thing is: I typically listen to podcasts or streaming services now instead of tuning the radio because I’ve become rather impatient — I’d rather listen to a curated list and the ads are less numerous than on the old-fashioned radio waves (because, no, I refuse to pay for said service).  

Anyway. I scrolled through the dial and heard a lot more Spanish stations than I used to hear, which is awesome to practice my Spanish, and I heard a lot more talk radio. I heard a lot — like, a LOT — of Christmas music. In the middle of November. The good stuff: Bing Crosby. Frank Sinatra. The kind that makes me feel safe and cozy and hopeful.  

Of course, I had to bypass the Christmas music, right? It’s not time yet. I am adamantly opposed to putting the nativity ahead of the turkey.  

Except.  

I bought some fun Christmas-themed window clings for my office window last week. I’ve been admiring prematurely decorated trees and watching reels about Christmas crafts. I’ve been thinking about getting my Saint Nicholas collection out before his feast day. I’ve been admiring the dusting of snow on the foothills in the morning, and sad to see it melted by afternoon. 

When is it acceptable to decorate for Christmas? 

My parents grew up in rural Iowa and often talk about decorating for Christmas on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, when they were growing up [editor's note: this year, the Solemnity will be celebrated on December 9, as December 8 is a Sunday]. As Jim and I started our family, I liked the idea of carrying on this tradition, thinking that this date was somehow the “right” date.  

But wait. Advent starts days ahead of the eighth — why wait until then? 

It turns out that Holy Days of Obligation were considered holidays; school and work were closed so the community could have a day to attend Mass and to rest. A day off meant that my grandparents and aunts and uncles were all home, and it was convenient to decorate then. It makes sense that this would be the perfect time to decorate for the season. 

I still like to wait until the eighth to decorate the tree and tackle other projects, careful not to get too “Christmassy.” It is still Advent after all, and Christmas doesn’t begin until, well, Christmas! 

Why do people decorate for Christmas early? Is there a “right” time to get started? 

It’s always been a bit of a head-scratcher for me when I see people put up their tree ahead of Advent, mostly because they are usually also the ones complaining about how annoying Christmas music is by the third week of Advent — as they’ve been listening to it since October! Once December 26th arrives, the race is on to put all the decorations away before the New Year … which is, of course, about the time I am in my element with all things Christmas. 

As you can see, I am an exceptionally linear thinker (read: stick-in-the-mud), so it’s hard for me to wrap my head around doing things “out of order.” Recently, though, I saw a Facebook post declare that the poster needed to decorate early because she needed some hope and cheer in these darker days of winter. 

Isn’t that what Advent and Christmas are all about? 

I realized today that I am looking forward to Advent and Christmas because I crave the hope and the peace and the joy of December. Of Jesus’s arrival. Of Mary’s motherhood. Of Joseph’s provision. Of God’s limitless love for each one of us. 

Father Charles Grondin assures us that there really is no right or wrong time to decorate, or to take down the decorations.

My only personal recommendation to families is to not take down the Christmas decorations too soon. I personally recommend leaving them up through the entire liturgical season of Christmas … In all the hub bub in the run up to Christmas how much time do we really have to absorb and reflect on the great mystery that God became man? Decorate when and how you feel comfortable and enjoy. My only suggestion is to not pack away the awe with the decorations. (Father Charles Grondin)

Decorating is a declaration of hope. 

This year has been rough for a lot of people. My little family has been battling a lot of health challenges, and I know we are not alone in this. Death of loved ones, loss of employment, economic troubles, election fatigue, and uncertainty for the future are all common stressors. In the dark and the quiet of winter, as we settle in and battle our own dragons, the promise of the Christ Child offers us a glimpse of joy, and decorating for His birth is a declaration of hope.  

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Copyright 2024 Kathryn Pasker Ineck
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