As Rich as the Feast
My Dear People,
I was asked today why it is that we, of the Episcopal persuasion, do not wish people "Merry Christmas" prior to Christmas Eve itself. Now, indeed, for most of us, that's probably not strictly true--we'll make exceptions if, for instance, we know we won't see a given person again until after the 25th. Nonetheless, by tradition, our custom has been and is to wait. To actually wait, until the sun goes down on the 24th.
This connects us back to our Judaic roots, that one day ends and another begins at sundown. And so it is, the custom goes, with the Feast of the Nativity: with the evening, the feasting--the celebrating--can begin in earnest.
In the meantime, as we all know all to well, the culture around us has been celebrating Christmas practically since we set our pumpkins out on our porches in October. And, to some degree or another, we have ended up being recruited into that (office Christmas parties, etc.), even if begrudgingly. Nevertheless, there is some part of us that hangs back, that holds our breath.
Well, we're almost there. Just days now. Hours, really.
Then we can say with total freedom those happy words.
But till then, we still prepare, we still wait.
And, having waited, the feast will, we are taught, be all the more joyful, substantial, real.
Meanwhile, I can't help but wonder if, at moments, the waiting is as rich as the feast itself.
Yes, as rich as the feast itself.
Your brother in Christ,
Wallace+
