Christmas: A Reflection on Things So Strange

Every year, Christians face the distractions of the busy Christmas season. As Joseph Pronechen wrote recently, we risk being swept up in “secular busyness ... [t]he hustle and bustle of shopping for gifts. The decorations and displays going up even before Advent starts. Parties and plans for baking goodies begin.” Pronechen offers many good ideas to restore the central meaning of Christmas to the celebration of the holiday. We should indeed build Nativity scenes with our children, sing the ancient “O Antiphons” in the days leading up to Christmas, and celebrate the...