The subject of the "Upcoming birth of Jesus" is a not a months-long topic in the church. It may crop up in sermons but is not generally the topical subject until the month of December - the season as Advent.
How do I know this? As a Christian - definitely! As a church-goer - absolutely. But Definitively ??? I know this because I am a lay preacher and was Official Padre to an ex-servicemen's motorcycle club for 10 years.
As for the 'whole specified series of festivals' - that's just bollocks. Advent is the only season celebrated which spins solely on the upcoming birth of Christ.

And Villan - "And thats what Peter Paul and Mary have it as "A'Soalin" " and WHAT is what P,P & M have as a-soalin?

Muttley

However, to return to my original rebuttal - When the 'soalin' tradition began and was well-patronised and enacted, one stuck VERY closely to the liturgical calendar at the wrath of the church and clergy.
Unlike this day and age where christmas trees appear in stores and carols start sounding over 'muzak' reels in malls etc in September or alternatively; easter eggs and hot-cross buns begin appearing in supermarkets and shops in January.

Modern commercialism has simply hijacked the liturgical seasons for it's own financial greed and quite frankly - should be collectively burnt at the stake. Can you imagine what the outcry would be like if gross western commercialism hijacked the liturgical seasons of Islam or Judaism??? However, Christianity and its structure seem to be fair game. Unfortunately the common 'man-in-the-street' who is not an active practitioner of his/her faith seems to think that because the shops start promoting Christmas weeks before Hallowe'en even arises then that's what the church does, too. WRONG!