THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS
While secular society may have us believe that Christmas is over on 26 December, the celebration has just begun according to the Church calendar!
From earliest times, Christians have celebrated Christmas as a season, not just a day.
The Church calendar today extends the celebration from Evening Prayer I on Christmas Eve until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (10 January 2021).
“Next to the yearly celebration of the paschal mystery, the Church holds most sacred the memorial of Christ’s birth and early manifestations. This is the purpose of the Christmas season”. (General Norms of the Liturgical Year and Calendar, 32)
From the beginning, the readings and prayers for the Christmas season have expressed more than a commemoration of Jesus’ birthday.
Christmas is rather the celebration of the beginnings of the mystery of salvation including the birth of Jesus, the revelation to the shepherds and the Magi, Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan, and Jesus' first miracle – the changing of water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana.
Christmas has its own octave, which means eight official days of rejoicing. The solemnity of the Christmas octave is particularly evident in the Liturgy of the Hours, where many of the texts on these days are the same as Christmas Day itself, signalling the extended celebration of Christ's birth.
The Christmas Octave also includes the celebration of the feasts of Saint Stephen (26 December), Saint John (27 December) and the Holy Innocents (28 December). The Sunday within the Christmas octave marks the feast of the Holy Family. This year it falls two days after Christmas and so displaces the feast of Saint John.
The last day of the Christmas octave, 1 January, is observed as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Like the fourth Sunday of Advent, this celebration highlights the role of the Virgin Mary in the incarnation of the Saviour.
The Christmas Octave also includes the celebration of the feasts of Saint Stephen (26 December), Saint John (27 December) and the Holy Innocents (28 December). The Sunday within the Christmas octave marks the feast of the Holy Family. This year it falls two days after Christmas and so displaces the feast of Saint John.
The last day of the Christmas octave, 1 January, is observed as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Like the fourth Sunday of Advent, this celebration highlights the role of the Virgin Mary in the incarnation of the Saviour.
In the Eastern Churches, Epiphany was the original feast of Christ’s birth.
In the West, however, the celebration of Epiphany came to focus on the revelation of God’s plan of salvation in Christ, traditionally represented in the story of the Magi.
In Australia the Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday falling between the second and the eighth of January. The feast falls on January 3 in 2021.
The custom of keeping nativity scenes and Christmas decorations until Epiphany highlights the close connection between the two feasts. Indeed, Christmas decorations could remain in place until the official close of the Christmas season on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (10 January 2021).
Unfortunately, the rich array of liturgical celebrations is often obscured by the Summer holidays and the secular push towards the New Year.
Using Christmas vestments, candles, flowers and other decorations in the church for the whole season will enhance the ongoing celebration of Christmas and preserve the spirit of Christmas jubilation. People involved in parish music ministry should also ensure that Christmas carols continue to be sung throughout the season, especially those with lyrics that extend beyond the baby in the manger.
With many parts of the country still experiencing restrictions of various kinds due to COVID-19, this year, more than ever is an opportunity to establish some Christmas traditions in the family which promote a full and rich celebration of the mystery of Christ's birth.
1. Set up a Nativity Scene
Nativity scenes can be left mostly empty during Advent, except for the animals, with children being invited to add the shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph on Christmas Eve. The baby Jesus can be added on Christmas morning, possibly before the children wake up as an extra surprise! The Magi might be placed elsewhere so that they can journey to the stable on Epiphany.
A blessing for the Nativity Scene from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers is available here.
1. Set up a Nativity Scene
Nativity scenes can be left mostly empty during Advent, except for the animals, with children being invited to add the shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph on Christmas Eve. The baby Jesus can be added on Christmas morning, possibly before the children wake up as an extra surprise! The Magi might be placed elsewhere so that they can journey to the stable on Epiphany.
A blessing for the Nativity Scene from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers is available here.
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2. Light a Christ Candle Extend the practice of the Advent wreath by making a Christ candle. Take a large white candle and decorate it with the chi rho symbol - this is the first two letters in the Greek word for Christ. Place it in the centre of the Advent wreath and light it throughout the Christmas season to represent Christ, the light of the world, present in our midst. |
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3. Get Involved in Works of Mercy to Benefit the Local and Wider Community.
Make it a family project to find ways to share what you have with others at this time of year.
Give away things that you don't need to those less fortunate.
Donate goods from your pantry to St Vincent de Paul or another charity.
Pray for Christians around the world who are being persecuted.
Invite family members to pool their money and choose a family or organisation in your community to give it to.
4. Celebrate the feast of the Holy Family on 27 December
Use this occasion to celebrate your own family by making a simple family tree with photos of each person.
Use this time to pray for members of your family and to thank God for the gift of each other.
5. Celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and Word Day of Peace on January 1
While most people celebrate New Year's Day on January 1, it is also the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
January 1 is also the day that the Church sets aside to pray for world peace.
You might consider praying the rosary for World Peace as part of your New Year's Day activities.
You can find some practical tips for praying the Rosary with Children here.
6. Bless your Home on the Feast of Epiphany
The tradition of blessing the home on the Feast of the Epiphany stems from the scriptural reference to the Magi arriving at the house where they found the child with his mother Mary. The family gathers to invite God's blessing on their home at the start of the New Year, to bless those who live there, and those who may visit throughout the year.
Chalk is blessed in the parish church at Masses for the Epiphany, and then distributed to families to take home.
Suggested text for the parish blessing of chalk can be found here.
Parents and children then use the blessed chalk at home to write the letters C, M, and B, as well as the year, above the main entrance to the house like this:
20 C + M + B 21.
The letters have an interesting double meaning. Firstly, they represent the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also an abbreviation of the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, meaning, “May Christ bless the house.”
A ritual for the Epiphany Blessing in the home can be found here.
The tradition of blessing the home on the Feast of the Epiphany stems from the scriptural reference to the Magi arriving at the house where they found the child with his mother Mary. The family gathers to invite God's blessing on their home at the start of the New Year, to bless those who live there, and those who may visit throughout the year.
Chalk is blessed in the parish church at Masses for the Epiphany, and then distributed to families to take home.
Suggested text for the parish blessing of chalk can be found here.
Parents and children then use the blessed chalk at home to write the letters C, M, and B, as well as the year, above the main entrance to the house like this:
20 C + M + B 21.
The letters have an interesting double meaning. Firstly, they represent the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also an abbreviation of the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, meaning, “May Christ bless the house.”
A ritual for the Epiphany Blessing in the home can be found here.
7. Celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
This feast marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the season of Ordinary Time which presents the stories of Jesus' public ministry.
It is a good opportunity to remember each child's baptism and to talk about what it means. Invite family members to share stories about the most memorable moments of each child's baptism, and to remember the promises that were made on that day. Look together at items related to the children's baptism, perhaps a baptismal garment, candle, photographs or video.
This feast marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the season of Ordinary Time which presents the stories of Jesus' public ministry.
It is a good opportunity to remember each child's baptism and to talk about what it means. Invite family members to share stories about the most memorable moments of each child's baptism, and to remember the promises that were made on that day. Look together at items related to the children's baptism, perhaps a baptismal garment, candle, photographs or video.
Fostering traditions and rituals in the family and as a Church through the entire Christmas season, allows for a deeper understanding of the profound message of Christmas. Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, is Emmanuel “God-with-us”, the light of the world who shines through the darkness of life's trials and challenges. The words of the gospel reading which is proclaimed at Mass on Christmas Day, leave us to ponder the depth of this great mystery.
In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God and the Word was God.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son,
who is nearest to the Father's heart,
who has made him known.
the Word was with God and the Word was God.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son,
who is nearest to the Father's heart,
who has made him known.
Clare Schwantes
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.