Did you know that this coming Monday is the start of Nativity Lent in Eastern Christianity?
That’s a major period of fasting and penitence in ancient forms of Christian faith and it continues until Dec. 25th — the start of the 12 days of Christmas. In Western Christian churches, Nativity Lent is called Advent and it starts on Dec. 1.
I know. I know. There is more to Christmas than religion. Ditto for Hanukkah. Economics and public revelry is part of the picture. I get that.
The question, when you look at a story such as this one in The Los Angeles Times — “Things to do: 7 L.A., O.C. places to get you into the holiday groove” — if many newspaper editors have decided that the materialistic and commercial celebrations are the REAL holidays and that all of that strange “religious” stuff is now an unimportant wing that has been tacked onto The Mall.
I mean, go to the Los Angeles Times website and do a search for “Christmas.” Then sort through a few screens worth of what you find. I mean, I am scared to click on this link: “Christmas like a Kardashian and 17 other things to do this holiday season.” How about you?
But back to the holiday mood feature. Here’s the lede:
With Thanksgiving approaching, it’s time to charge into the holiday season. Fashion brands and local shopping centers want to get you in the mood as they celebrate with tree-lighting ceremonies and other festivities.
So what goes on during these rites? Here’s a few samples:
The annual Rodeo Drive holiday lighting celebration on Thursday will kick off what Beverly Hills is calling its Bold holiday events. The night will feature a live performance from Broadway star and “Glee” alum Matthew Morrison, who will sing holiday tunes along with offering a preview of his upcoming 2020 album of classic Disney covers.
This next one even mentions “Christmas,” sort of.
Independent of Rodeo Drive’s Bold festivities, Louis Vuitton will have its own tree lighting on Thursday with a towering two-story, Louis Vuitton-themed Christmas tree that will be lighted with the French luxury label’s ubiquitous monogram.
The Beverly Hills boutique will also unveil its window displays, which feature art installations and never-before-seen fluorescent sculptures, along with the brand’s Twist bag, Archlight sneakers, Damier Graphite Map leather goods and newly released Cœur Battant fragrance.
One more? After all, we are talking about “tradition.”
“Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr. will be the host for this year’s annual celebration at the Grove. The event will feature musical performances by Aloe Blacc, Ashley Tisdale, Isaac Slade of the Fray, Tori Kelly, the Tenors and Malea Emma.
Per tradition, the holiday celebration will include a 100-foot tree with 15,000 sparkling lights and 10,000 ornaments.
As your GetReligionistas have often noted, the Los Angeles Times was — for many years — one of the newspapers that set the standards for religion-beat work.
I bring that up because I wish that I could say that I have confidence that, sometime after Dec. 1, the Times team will offer some sort of thoughtful piece that lists Christian and Jewish events and rites linked to the actual content of the Christmas season and Hanukkah (this year the evening of Dec. 22 through evening of Dec. 30).
Will anyone, for example, be celebrating the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra?
Who is that? Long ago, I opened a column like this:
Father Constantine White was ready when his young son asked the big December question: "Is Santa Claus real?"
Instead of answering "yes" or "no," the Orthodox priest responded with another question: "Well, what is the name of our church?"
That would be St. Nicholas Cathedral, named after the 4th Century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. Nicholas has for centuries been one of Eastern Orthodoxy's most beloved saints, the patron of orphans, merchants, sailors and all those in distress. His feast day is Dec. 6.
Will any Catholic and Orthodox churches we emphasizing Confession during Advent and Nativity Lent (as they should, according to real traditions)? Will there be idealistic people trying to avoid the steamroller of Christmas events that rolls through what should be Advent? When the real 12 days of Christmas arrive, will any Christian groups have enough energy left to celebrate (as they should)?
Trust me, there are lots of folks who will read, and then argue about, a news story about Christians struggling with practical decisions about the whole celebrating-Christmas-before-Christmas syndrome.
I get it that The Holidays are a reality. They must be covered. What I am asking is this: Is that ALL there is these days? Is it possible to cover both the malls and the sanctuaries?