Is it Too Early to Say, "Merry Christmas"? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

Patrick and Cyrus jump into the big debate: is it too early for Catholics to start saying "Merry Christmas"? Spoiler alert: Patrick gives us the green light. 🎉🙌 Here's the gist:   🕯️ Advent vs. Christmas Season: Yes, we're still in Advent, and technically, the Christmas season starts on December 25. But in the culture we live in (hello, Christmas lights up in October! 😅), Patrick thinks that saying "Merry Christmas" early is fine. He even calls it a way to spread a little extra joy and kindness during a busy, often stressful season.   🎁 A Merry Christmas Moment: Patrick shares a charming story about a near-collision at a car rental facility. After a gentlemanly gesture (cue the courtly bow), the other guy cheerfully said, “Merry Christmas!” Patrick noticed how these small interactions, fueled by the seasonal spirit, bring out the best in people. ✨   💬 The Merry Christmas Experiment: Cyrus loves saying "Merry Christmas" to people in stores, especially cashiers. He suspects many are instructed to say, "Happy Holidays" unless someone kicks it off with "Merry Christmas." Many times, the cashier lights up and says it back!    🔥 Christmas Wars Flashback: Remember when people really got worked up over stores saying, "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? Patrick says he doesn’t mind the phrase itself, but he appreciates when someone makes the effort to name the reason for the season: the birth of baby Jesus. 👶🌟   So, is it too early to say, "Merry Christmas"? Nope! Go ahead and spread that festive cheer. And if someone says, "Happy Holidays," hey, no biggie. We know the true meaning of this time of year. 😉   Merry Christmas! (And maybe Happy Advent too!) 🌟🎄