What is Christmas Time?
Christmas Time is the liturgical season that begins for many people at the Vigil Mass on the 24 December, which is liturgically known as the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord and finishing with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This next year, it will be Sunday 12 January. FYI: Vigil = Mass the evening before a Solemnity, and it = a celebration of great significance – more to follow in 2025.
What is meant to be the focus for us during Christmas Time?
This time is a very important liturgical season for the Church. Here, we find the mystery of the incarnation (the putting on of flesh), where God becomes one of us. It is a wonderful, joyous time of celebration as we reflect on the gift of salvation that Jesus’ birth will ultimately give us.
What is involved in Christmas Time?
Christmas Time is one of the shortest liturgical seasons in the year, but it packs a punch for what it delivers. It starts with an octave (this is where a feast day gets extra time – 8 days – to be celebrated). Within the octave, the following feasts are included: Holy Family, Saints Stephen, John and the Holy Innocents. The octave (last) day is another Solemnity – Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
How many days does Christmas Time go for?
This is a tricky question to answer. It changes year to year depending on the Solemnity of the Epiphany (aka the arrival of the wise men that we read in Matthew 2:1). This date is always observed (celebrated) on a Sunday (itsactual day is 6 January, and that could be any day of the week). So, for 23/24, it lasted 15 days and for 24/25, it will last 19 days.
Why is the colour white significant during Christmas Time?
Colours have always played an important part in the liturgical life of the church. Gone is the Advent purple, and white has arrived. The white signifies celebrations of the Lord (other than his passion – this is red). White reminds us of the light of Jesus coming into the world, his innocence and purity, and the joy that his birth brought to humanity.
What are the other important days of significance in Christmas Time?
It is much easier to list these: December 26 - St Stephen (the first martyr), 27 - St John the Evangelist, 28 – The Holy Innocents (martyrs), and the Sunday within the Octave – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. January 1 – Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
What is the significance of Boxing Day?
Boxing Day isn’t a significant day for the Church. The Church remembers St Stephen on this day. However, it is a day steeped in tradition. Originating in Ye Old England around the 16th century, it was a day when servants and tradespeople were thanked with a day off and gifts. Unfortunately, it’s now just about the Boxing Day sales.
Why do we have Christmas Trees?
Who doesn’t love a bit of greenery? Now, we are thanking the Germans. Originating in the late Middle Ages through a play about Adam and Eve (it’s a long story), Germans used a cutting from a fir tree as they are evergreen in winter. They decorated them on the 24 December, often with apples. Through immigration, the Germans took it to the rest of the world and the decorations just snowballed.
Why do we celebrate Christmas on the 25 December?
This date was established by the Church around the fourth century. There are many different perspectives and explanations about why this date. This is what we do know: It was the winter solstice for the Roman Empire, it was a time of pagan celebrations but was eventually enculturated into the Gospel story when Pope Julius I, who was the Pope at the time, formalised it.
I am not Catholic; how can I get involved?
You don’t have to be Catholic to get involved. It is a time for families to come together to celebrate the gift and love that family members are to each other and to neighbours. Maybe it is time to return to Mass and be reminded about the message of the birth of Jesus. What about rethinking St Stephen’s Feast Day (Boxing Day) and thinking about what you can give to others who need it most?
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