Imagine learning that the Savior of the world has been born and then going back to regular life the very next day. Sounds crazy, right?
But so often, that is what the world does at Christmas.
As Christians, we’re constantly being refined and transformed by Christ, so why would we treat His birth as anything but a celebration worthy of an entire season?
In the Catholic Church, we are just getting started with celebrations on Christmas Day, but the entire Christmas season – also known as Christmastide – lasts at least two weeks. And this year, it will last 18 days, to be exact.
Let’s walk through the beauty of the Christmas season from a Catholic perspective, including the why behind what we do.
Advent
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. (A nod to “The Sound of Music,” which is also, you guessed it, Catholic!)
Though it’s not technically part of Christmastide, it’s essential to preparing for it.
Advent includes the four weeks leading up to Christmas, when the faithful prepare their hearts for Christ’s birth as well as anticipate His second coming. Each week focuses on a different theme – Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love – and each theme helps us to draw closer to the Lord in preparation for His arrival.
Advent is a time of waiting. Advent is a time when we’re reminded that waiting is good.
The faithful are called to wait hopefully, patiently, and joyfully as we prepare for the anniversary of Jesus’ birth.
I try to teach my kids that waiting is good; that if we always get what we want without waiting, it actually takes the joy out of things and leaves us a bit disappointed. I realize I’m still learning this lesson, too. It’s funny how parenting humbles us.
Instant gratification molds us into people who are always looking for the next best thing.
But we’re called to something more. And that is what we are meditating on throughout the season of Advent.
For the secular world, December fills quickly with to-do lists, activities, shopping, cooking, baking, and often stress. But the Church, in its wisdom, offers a different way through Advent.
Christmas Eve and The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)
For most, even some Catholics, all of the preparation and excitement culminate in these two days – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
It’s Jesus’ birthday! It’s the big day we’ve been preparing for, and we celebrate with presents under the tree on Christmas morning, and then we gather with family and friends in the afternoon and evening
There’s probably not much more that I can say here that you don’t already know, regarding what happens on these two days, as Christmas Eve and Day are celebrated by almost everyone in America – 88 percent, to be exact, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Although, sadly, according to the poll, “Most who celebrate Christmas take part in secular traditions, such as exchanging gifts, gathering with family and friends, and decorating their homes. At the same time, fewer than in the past report incorporating religious customs, such as attending church or displaying religious holiday symbols.”
But like so many traditions that have been adopted by the secular world, their roots are distinctly Catholic. You can’t have Christmas without Jesus Christ. And you really can’t have the popular traditions and customs without His Church.
Like Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, for example. The big, fat man with the long white beard who is comin’ to town. (Thank you, Bing Crosby!)
The real Saint Nicholas, of course, never went down any chimneys, but he did become known for his generosity to those in need and for his love for children.
The Bishop of Myra (present-day Turkey), Nicholas devoted himself to Jesus Christ and was so obedient that after his parents died, he used his entire inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and others.
Over the years, Saint Nicholas has been transformed by culture into the jolly old Saint Nick who we know today and has become a staple for the almsgiving and gift-giving traditions associated with Christmas Day.
The Octave of Christmas and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
You know that week between Christmas and New Year’s Day when everything’s a blur, the house is a mess, you’ve eaten way too many Christmas cookies, and you really don’t know what day it is?
Yeah, me neither …
Catholics call that week the Octave of Christmas. It’s the eight (octave) days beginning on December 25th and ending on January 1st. This is the true Christmas season in the Catholic Church.
The Octave always begins on Christmas Day. Each day after Christmas repeats the solemnness of Jesus Christ’s birth, as we continue to ponder, rejoice, celebrate, and sing joyfully that the Lord has come.
The Octave ends with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – the one who carried our Lord and Savior in her womb. On this day, we honor our Blessed Mother for her unique role in salvation and for her model of faith. This feast day takes place on New Year’s Day. I can’t think of a more fitting way to head into the new year.
So, if you’re looking for a different way to decompress after the holiday that will fill your spirit more than your belly, then the Church has an alternative for you. But hey, no judgment – you can have your cookies, too!
Two significant celebrations take place during the Octave – our Lord and Savior is born and we honor His Mother for her unique role in salvation history.
The new Adam and the new Eve.
But Christmas is not over yet – we’re still celebrating!
The next four days will carry us through to another Solemnity – the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. A Solemnity is the highest form of celebration around the mysteries of the faith.
And there you have the 12 Days of Christmas.
The 12 Days of Christmas
But why twelve?
Let me begin by explaining that the Octave is part of the 12 Days of Christmas. Math is not my strong suit, so if you’re like me, all of these numbers can get confusing. So, let’s break it down.
There is actually great historical and biblical significance to the number twelve. There were twelve sons of Jacob, twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve apostles.
The Church uses these twelve days to draw our hearts and minds to the Incarnation – when God became man and dwelt among us – Jesus Christ’s birth.
Additionally, each of the twelve days is dedicated to recognizing saints whose lives were a witness to Christ’s love made manifest. Here’s a breakdown of each day and who we recognize on it:
Day 1: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)
Day 2: St. Stephen, the first martyr
Day 3: St. John the Apostle, the only apostle to stay by Jesus’ side through His passion
Day 4: Holy Innocents, the male children ages two and under who were killed at the order of King Herod in an attempt to kill Jesus
Day 5: St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr
Day 6: A designated day for deeper spiritual reflection on the nativity
Day 7: St. Sylvester I, pope
Day 8: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Day 9: St. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Doctors of the Church and fierce defenders of the Trinity
Day 10: The Holy Name of Jesus
Day 11: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a Catholic convert and pioneer for Catholic education in the U.S.
Day 12: St. John Neumann, known for establishing Catholic schools and serving immigrants
This leads us right into the Epiphany, which is celebrated on the 13th day after Christmas.
Epiphany of the Lord
The term “Epiphany” means “divine revelation.” One of the most beautiful celebrations within the Church is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
This solemnity takes place on the Sunday after the twelve days of Christmas, when we recognize and reflect on the wisemen (or Magi) who traveled from the East, following the star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus, recognizing Him as King.
This is the moment where we recognize the Magi as representatives of all the nations (us). The moment when it is revealed that Jesus Christ did not only come to save the Jews, but He came to save you and me.
We reflect on the three gifts brought to the Lord – gold for His Kingship, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh used for burials, pointing to His death and resurrection.
Going along with the theme of three, the solemnity also reflects upon the three mysteries that revealed Christ’s divinity and divine mission – the visit from the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus, and His first miracle at the wedding in Cana.
The Epiphany is truly the star at the end of a beautiful Christmas celebration, although it is not quite the end in the Church. We’re almost there!
The Baptism of the Lord
Next, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which takes place on the Sunday after Epiphany.
To recap, we’ve discussed:
Advent – the four weeks leading up to Christmas, where we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ
Christmas Day – Jesus’ actual birthday
The Octave and The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – the continued rejoicing and celebrating the fact that the Lord has come, and honoring our Blessed Mother for her unique role
The 12 Days of Christmas – the pondering of the Incarnation
The Epiphany – when we reflect on Jesus Christ as King of all nations and His divine mission.
And the final celebration to end the Christmas season is Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, the Baptism of the Lord.
This is the moment where Jesus begins his public ministry.
Choosing the ultimate form of solidarity, He unites Himself to us by entering into humanity in all its brokenness, and taking all of our sins on by Himself, suffering, and ultimately being crucified on the cross.
Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan is not the same as the baptism that you and I have received. It is a baptism of repentance. While Jesus was completely and totally without sin, He freely chose to get down on our level, to receive the baptism of repentance, and to fully take on our sins by becoming one with us.
In our Baptism, we then become one with Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And this day, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, marks the official end to the Christmas season, and sets us up to head into Ordinary Time.
But there is nothing ordinary about the next several weeks of the liturgical year. This is a time for deeper contemplation on the life of Jesus Christ as we strive to follow Him and unite our own lives more fully with His.
SOURCES
https://news.gallup.com/poll/700271/secular-christmas-traditions-persist-sacred-ones-decline.aspx
https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas
https://focus.org/posts/what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas/