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Celebrating the Light at Christmas
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
Celebrating the Light at Christmas
M erry Christmas: How Many Days Make Up Christmas?
On the 7th day of the Christmas Octave, this audio, after the opening of Blessing, addresses for Christians the number of days in Christmas. The world prepares for Christmas starting normally in September. But how many days of Christmas are there? Some say one, on Christmas day. No! Some say there are twelve days of Christmas, like the song. No! There are more! To the Church, Christmas is a season.
The Christmas Season
The Church and Catholics celebrate the Mysteries of Jesus Christ across the year. We celebrate Jesus’ Coming in the season of Advent; His Arrival at Christmas; Preparation for the Holy Days during the Lenten Season; and the Joy of Salvation and Victory celebrated in the Easter Season. Lastly, there is the Ordinary time, which unfolds the teaching and miracles of the Lord in the Gospels. Hear more about how the year is ordered to the Mysteries of Christ within the audio.
The Christmas Season is structured this way. The Christmas Season begins at sunset on Dec 24th. The season runs up until the Baptism of the Lord. In 2021, that date is January 10th. This year, there are 17 days in the Christmas Season.
So where did the term 12 Days of Christmas come from? We have all heard or even sung the song. In an earlier age, the Church celebrated the Mysteries of Christ in a different order. In earlier days the Church celebrated the Christmas season up until January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany (the day of the three Kings).
A Shift in the Liturgy During the Christmas Season
Why is this all important? Because during the Christmas Season in the Church, there is a shift. A change in the language, the prayers and the blessings used in the liturgy. During the Christmas Season we hear in the Gospel about the Nativity and the Infancy of Jesus from his birth to the visit of the Magi. Following the Infancy, in the first portion of the Christmas Season, the Gospel focuses on the early ministry of Jesus (an adult Jesus).
Celebrating The Light
This is important as we read and listen to the Gospel during the Christmas Season. Why? Because Christmas is more than remembering and honoring the fact that baby Jesus came into this world. We celebrate Christmas and the fact God became flesh. He came and we celebrate the light of the world.
Listen to this audio, so that you may anticipate the change that happens within the Mass during and throughout the Christmas Season. Listen to this audio so that we can focus and understand deeper what we celebrate during the Christmas Season … the light of the world.
Celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord
Because during the Christmas Season in the Church, there is a shift. A change in the language, the prayers and the blessings used in the liturgy. During the Christmas Season we hear in the Gospel about the Nativity and the Infancy of Jesus from his birth to the visit of the Magi. Following the Infancy, in the first portion of the Christmas Season, the Gospel focuses on the early ministry of Jesus (an adult Jesus).
Return to Meditation for the Week
After listening to this Meditation, we recommend you listen to the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God here.
