As Catholics, we all know the true meaning of Christmas, whether we remember to celebrate it or not. Christmas is a festive jubilee of Christ’s incarnation, but has rather become a time to buy gifts, make gingerbread houses, and sing songs about snowmen and reindeer. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing these things, and the Christmas season is easily my favorite time of the year. However, I think our focus, especially as teenagers, needs to be redirected.

Christmas gift-giving is no longer an extra, thoughtful thing to do; it is now an obsession. Ads for Christmas discounts and the latest and greatest gifts were out before Halloween this year. Every year the pressure to outdo last year’s gifts increases. Every year the holiday decorations fill the stores and the Christmas music swamps the radio earlier and earlier. It’s understandable that people are trying to speed up the arrival of the joyous season, but after all, Christmas never fails to show itself. We need to be more patient and allow Christmas to come when it comes.

A huge aspect of the Christmas season for Catholics has all but been trampled. Do we even know what Advent is anymore? Specifically here in America, we get so enamored with the approaching Christmas cheer that we nearly skip Advent altogether. The prayer, fasting, and good works during Advent help us prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. We must remember that we are unworthy for Christ, and that we are something that has to be prepared to meet him.

Christmas is such a wonderful part of our Catholic faith and American culture, and I encourage you to wholeheartedly partake in the festivities of the season. Be cheerful, be generous, and most importantly, remember to be holy this Christmas.