What happened to "Let Every Heart PREPARE Him Room?"

 I will probably get mixed reactions on this.  We are entitled to our own reactions.  I, however, want to address the holiday jumble that is the end of October to the beginning of November.  Even before Halloween arrives, social media, stores, and television are all aglow with the longing for Christmas festivity.  The content creators tell you they just can't wait for the clock to strike midnight on Halloween night because then, "It's CHrIstMAsS!!!" It seems this year, even more than previous years, the push for Christmas is even harder and earlier than it's ever been.  Why is this?  Also, isn't this a good thing?

The reasoning that seems to be growing in intensity this year is that people just need more cheer, some peace on earth, joy, and general goodwill towards men.  Basically, if it makes me happy, can't I just have it and you leave me alone?  Well, there are two glaring problems with this.  The biggest concern is that we are putting our happiness, our own euphoria, above everything else.  Who cares what is normal, proper, or how it affects others?  "My life, my choice."  Sound familiar?  

(credit: Pinterest)

This desire to be fulfilled, happy, and do what brings us pleasure pervades our culture and our lives.  People are constantly on the hunt for pleasure and satisfaction, and the world tries to deliver at every turn, from instant gratification to self-affirmation.  We can pick whatever music or movie we want to fit our mood whenever we want it with streaming services.  We order delivery of whatever we're craving right to our doors without moving a muscle, and now, we want to have holiday cheer on tap to be turned on (and presumably off) when it pleases us.  It's as if Christmas only exists to bring us pleasure. Yet somehow, with all this instant gratification, we still feel so miserably discontented and are usually worn out by the third week of December.

We were not made to be satisfied by the pleasures of this world, even the ones so seemingly innocent as Hallmark movies and hot chocolate.  As Christians, we know this life is a journey, a valley of tears, a battle against sin, a climb to Heaven.  It is not easy, and we can only be satisfied fully by God Himself.  No amount of Christmas carols can cure us completely.  When we look for our next dopamine pacification in the upcoming holiday and its festivities, we can often still feel drained and dissatisfied even in the midst of it.  As humans and God's creatures, we were made for cycles and seasons.  It's not our business to rush these.  If we try to harvest happiness out of season, it will not be ripe.  Instead, it will be bitter and leave us hungry, even if it satisfies for a minute.  Instead, God, as the wonderful Creator that He is, knows what's best for us, and He has designed the seasons and the Church calendar for a purpose.  According to the natural seasons, it is most definitely autumn everywhere in the U.S.  Leaves are continuing to change color and fall, temperatures are finally dipping down, and harvest is in full swing.  We long for the coziness of autumn long enough at the end of summer, but don't seem to enjoy it past October 31st.  

October 31st is a holiday because it is the eve of All Saints.  That means that the feast of All Saints is just beginning on the day everyone says, "It's ChRiiSTmASs!!!"  But what actually happens to Hallowtide and the octave in which we can gain indulgences for the poor souls in Purgatory?  In a month which the Church, in Her wisdom, has set aside to help the holy souls with prayer in sacrifice, we are all too eager to indulge ourselves in winter festivities just because we need some joy in our humdrum lives.  But what about the fulfillment that comes from the rhythms and cycle of the Church year?  We have finished the month of the Holy Rosary and are entering a new devotion.  We have something new to focus on.  It may not be as warm and fuzzy as we'd like it to be, but that's not what we're made for.  Our Lady told St. Bernadette,

"I do not promise you happiness in this life, but in the next."

We need to order our lives after the true happiness of Heaven and do everything we can to get there.  The road is indeed steep and narrow, but God, in His goodness, does give us joys along the way.  It's important not to snatch them out of His hands before He intends to give them to us, though.

But one may object that there is no harm in celebrating Christmas early because it's about the birth of Christ!  That may be true in origin, but binge-listening to Mariah Carrey, and buying all new on-trend holiday decor hardly constitutes celebrating Christ.  Again, people are clamoring for this holiday because they desire the feelings it brings, not because they love their Redeemer so much that they celebrate His birthday a whole two months in advance.  If we really wanted to honor Christ in our homes, we would spend time in prayer, at church, reading about His Incarnation, and following His Church in its celebrations.  We must prepare our sinful hearts to receive Him at Christmas so we can more fully experience the true and lasting joy of His gift.  

All year long, we speak of finding contentedness, living in the moment, being present, until this time when we rush ahead of the season, only to be more tired and drained when it is over.  The world tells you you need Christmas joy now, but don't be afraid to put down the phone, turn off the TV, look around and see the fall colors outside, feel the crisp air, and do what God calls us to do this day.  Christmas will be here before you know it; don't worry.  Holy Mother Chruch gives us a whole season to celebrate it until the feast of the Presentation on February 2nd.  She knows our needs, we just must be Her patient children drawing on the strength She gives us now in the Rosary, the festivities of Hallowtide, and the gratitude of Thanksgiving.  

Don't lose heart.  Soldier on bravely for Christ the King, and soon enough, Christ will be able to find room in your heart when Christmas is truly here to pierce the darkness and freezing cold of winter.

There is so much more I could say in favor of following the seasons of the Church instead of the commercialization, but I want to encourage you to slow down and discover your own traditions for this time of year.  Pray for the holy souls in Purgatory, prepare for Thanksgiving, and enjoy all that autumn has to offer.  Then, dig into Advent, try to really prepare and grow in holiness during that season of waiting when it comes, and in doing so, you'll indeed be preparing Him room.  The joy of Christmas will truly be all the more glorious.