Christmas has become synonymous with good cheer, joy, and childlike wonder. From there we get the optimistic mantra “Every day is Christmas Eve” as looking forward to a happy day makes us happy. And so a sense of gleeful anticipation and positivity extends into Advent, the season of preparation leading up to Christmas. But then I am reminded of SAdvent. A few years ago on the Judge John Hodgman podcast (where humorist & actor John Hodgman arbitrates nonlegal questions) a husband and wife sought a decision about their observance of Advent. The husband freely acknowledged the joyousness of Christmas, and so felt that the time leading up to it should be more restrained and reflective to heighten the experience of Christmas. In other words, Christmas is not that special if the festivities stretch out over the preceding 24 days as well. He suggested that this was in keeping with the traditional liturgical observance of Advent, which can be somber and even apocalyptic.
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