Parishioners warned that traditional preparation for the birth of Christ could jeopardise Christmas celebrations.
HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE — A parish Christmas committee has called for the immediate postponement of Advent after discovering that the traditional Catholic season of preparation could interfere with its programme of festive activities.
The controversy follows the announcement of an Advent Service at Ushaw on 5 December, featuring Scripture readings, prayers and traditional hymns performed by the Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Choir and Children's Choir.
Although the service has been widely welcomed, it has caused considerable alarm amongst members of one parish Christmas committee, who fear that the renewed emphasis upon Advent could undermine the established practice of beginning Christmas celebrations shortly after Halloween.
Eileen, chairwoman of the Parish Festive Engagement Committee, described the development as deeply disappointing.
“We've been planning Christmas since August,” she explained. “The raffle tickets are printed, the Christmas tree is up, and we've already had three rehearsals of Away in a Manger. Now somebody's telling us we're supposed to be waiting for something.”
According to Eileen, the committee first became aware of the problem when a visiting priest suggested that the Church's liturgical calendar traditionally observes four Sundays of Advent before Christmas Day.
“I asked him whether he realised the Christmas fayre was on the first Saturday in December,” she recalled. “He said that was perfectly fine, but that we should remember Advent is a season of spiritual preparation.”
Eileen described the remark as unhelpful.
“People have enough to worry about at this time of year without being asked to prepare spiritually.”
The committee has consequently proposed moving Advent to January, when parish activities are traditionally quieter and the season would be less likely to interfere with Christmas celebrations.
“Nobody is suggesting we abolish Advent,” Eileen insisted. “We simply believe it would be much more practical to observe it after Christmas, when people have the time.”
A preliminary consultation has identified several potential difficulties with the traditional Advent arrangements, including the continued use of purple vestments.
“We've spent a considerable amount of money on red and green decorations,” Eileen explained. “Then Father turns up wearing purple. It's confusing for families and gives the impression that the parish hasn't properly entered into the festive spirit.”
The committee has also expressed concern about the omission of the Gloria during Advent Sundays.
“People like the Gloria,” Eileen said. “It's cheerful. I don't see why we should stop singing it just because the Church says we should.”
Margaret, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and assistant coordinator of the Christmas raffle, supported the proposal.
“There's a lot of unnecessary solemnity in Catholicism,” she explained. “Christmas is supposed to be about joy, community and bringing people together. We don't want to get too distracted by all the religious aspects.”
The situation deteriorated when a parishioner suggested that Advent might provide an appropriate opportunity for Confession.
Eileen immediately requested clarification.
“I don't think people should be made to feel guilty at Christmas,” she said. “Especially when we're trying to sell the remaining tickets for the luxury hamper.”
A compromise has now been proposed under which the parish will retain an Advent wreath, provided all four candles are lit on the first Sunday to avoid creating an unnecessarily prolonged sense of expectation.
The committee has also recommended that the traditional hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel be replaced with We Wish You a Merry Christmas, on the grounds that Emmanuel has already arrived and continued requests for His coming may cause confusion.
One elderly parishioner reportedly observed that the purpose of Advent was to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Eileen acknowledged the point but insisted that the committee had wider responsibilities.
“Of course the coming of Christ is important,” she replied. “But we mustn't let it overshadow the Christmas programme.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parish priest asked whether the committee had considered arranging a candlelit Advent service.
The suggestion was rejected because the parish Christmas lights had already been switched on.
The Northern Thurible is an independent Catholic satirical publication. This article is a work of parody inspired by the genuine Advent Service advertised at Ushaw for 5 December 2026. The committee, characters, quotations, proposals and incidents are invented for satirical purposes and do not describe the organisers or participants of the real event.
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