The Christmas Season “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” Isaiah 9:2.
Scripture Reading :
“I bring you good news of a great joy … for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. (Lk 2:10-11). Manger square, Bethlehem
What is the meaning of the word Christmas? :
The word Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ. Christmas, therefore, literally means Christ’s Mass. Christmas’ day is the only day when three masses are celebrated continuously: Midnight Mass, Dawn Mass and Christmas day mass. In total, there are four liturgical celebrations marking the beginning of the Holy season of Christmas: The vigil Mass on December 24th and the three masses of Christmas’ Day on December 25th. ‘What good is it that Christ was born 2,000 years ago if he is not born now in your heart?’ Meister Eckhart
What is Christmas about? :
Historically, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to a young virgin from Galilee named Mary. Theologically, Christmas is the celebration of the mystery of the incarnation. The word incarnation means to “Take flesh”. We believe that God became flesh like one of us in the person of Jesus. The mystery of the incarnation is at the heart of the celebration of Christmas. Jesus the Prince of peace, Emmanuel, “God is with us” was born to redeem us and to reconcile humanity to God. Christmas marks the birth of our redemption and the fulfillment of the promised of salvation made by God to the people of Israel.
How long is the Season of Christmas? And when does Christmas begin? :
The length of the liturgical Season Christmas vary from year to year, depending on what weekday December 25th occurs in any particular year. Christmas begins with Vigil Mass on December 24th and culminates with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This liturgical year (2019) the Baptism of the Lord will be on January 12. The exact dates of several other feasts celebrated each year during the Christmas Season are subject to change from year to year. Hence, they are called movable feasts.
Scripture :
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
Epiphany :
Epiphany is a Greek word that means appearance or manifestation. In the Christian East the feast of the Epiphany marked the beginning of the celebration of the birth of Christ. The Feast of Epiphany was later adopted by the Christian West where it is celebrated together with the Christmas season. Originally, Epiphany marked the end of the season of Christmas in the Churches of the West. Epiphany was celebrated twelve days after the beginning of Christmas.
Did you know? The Twelve days of Christmas :
Aside from the fact that Epiphany—which comes twelve days after Christmas—used to mark the end of the Christmas Season, the “Twelve Days of Christmas” are not really any part of Catholic liturgy. The song of that name actually derives from a time in England from 1558 to 1829 when it was illegal to be a Catholic, and so the song contains a hidden catechism of Catholic theology. A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Jesus Christ Two Turtle Doves: The Old and New Testaments Three French Hens: The Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity) Four Calling Birds: The Four Gospels / The Four Evangelists Five Golden Rings: The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch” Six Geese a-Laying: The Six Days of Creation Seven Swans a-Swimming: The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit / The Seven Sacraments Eight Maids a-Milking: The Eight Beatitudes Nine Ladies Dancing: The Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten Lords a-Leaping: The Ten Commandments Eleven Pipers Piping: The Eleven Faithful Apostles Twelve Drummers Drumming: The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
Scripture :
Scripture “Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.” Luke 2;14
Infancy Narratives :
There are two infancy narratives in the Gospels that tell the story of Jesus’ birth. These narratives come from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Matthew’s account narrates the visit of the wise men from the East, the slaughtered of the Holy Innocents by Herod and the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. Luke’s account narrates the story of Jesus being born in a manger because there was no room in the inn and the appearance of the Angels to the shepherds.
Did you know? :
Bethlehem the city where Jesus was born means “house of bread”. Catholics believe Jesus is the true Bread from Heaven. John 6:35. Catholics believe in the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist. John 6: 53-56 The city of Bethlehem is home to one of the largest Palestinian Christian communities in the Holy Land. The star at the church of the nativity marks the place where Jesus was born.
The Christmas Crèche :
The tradition of the Christmas crib or crèche was started by St. Francis of Assisi. At Christmas 1223 he celebrated the birth of Jesus in an outdoor pageant and Mass in the village of Greccio, thus giving to the Christian world ever since the Christmas crib or crèche.
Pope Benedict’s Message for Christmas in 2005 :
“At Christmas, the Almighty becomes a child and asks for our help and protection. His way of showing that he is God challenges our way of being human. By knocking at our door, he challenges us and our freedom; he calls us to examine how we understand and live our lives. The modern age is often seen as an awakening of reason from its slumbers, humanity’s enlightenment after an age of darkness. Yet without the light of Christ, the light of reason is not sufficient to enlighten humanity and the world. For this reason, the words of the Christmas Gospel: "the true Light that enlightens every man was coming into this world" (Jn 1:9) resound now more than ever as a proclamation of salvation. "It is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear".
Prayer :
Prayer Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
