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The Goddess Speaks Nancy Arcayna |
Santa Claus is
coming to town
so early
In our ever-changing and turbulent world, Christmas provides a time of hope and renewal. It is my absolute favorite time of year. Although many of my friends have turned into Grinches and Scrooges over the years, I've maintained my love for the holiday season.Each year, my son and I look forward to Santa Claus visits the day after Thanksgiving. But, the man in the big red suit seems to be coming to town a few weeks earlier these days. The lengthening of Christmas is beginning to unnerve me. After all, it's hard to keep the magic alive for months on end.
The 12 days of Christmas have suddenly become the 12 weeks of Christmas, with decorations being set up months in advance. The scenario leaves one to wonder whether or not the meaning of Christmas been lost. Or, are people just trying to get in the spirit early?
Whatever the deal, retailers satisfy the demands of shoppers as they get sucked into the commercial aspects of the season. Decorations have adorned store windows since before Halloween.
Ala Moana Center's holiday festivities are well under way. This past weekend, Santa greeted youngsters and took photographs. The 30-foot Santa is greeting shoppers. And, the Candy Cane Train is making sporadic runs, with its full schedule set to kick in the day after Thanksgiving. If you walk through the mall, you would swear it's already December.
OVER AT Wal-mart, the garden section is overrun by holiday decor, including Hula Santas gracing the storefront and elaborate tree displays. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I decided to stop and pick up a tablecloth and some decorations for my celebration table. All I was able to find were poinsettias, snowflakes and snippets of Christmas. Tom Turkey has taken a back seat to the Christmas shuffle. I guess there's not as much money to be made on being thankful.
Society makes it difficult to live in the moment. There are always those few who leave their Christmas decorations up all year long. Maybe they love Christmas that much, or maybe it's laziness. The 12 months between Christmases pass quicker and quicker each year, or maybe it just seems that way when people are shopping for gifts in July and planning parties in September. It's hard to keep the same level of excitement alive for months, and once the eve and day arrives you may be too burned out to enjoy it and lose sight of its religious aspects because of all the commotion.
I prefer to enjoy one momentous day, not a long, drawn-out affair.
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