December 26, 2008
-
The Beauty and Blessings of the First Day of Christmas…….
……….or for those of you who don’t quite get what this Christmas thing is all about. In this house Christmas isn’t celebrated but only anticipated before the 24th of December. So, that means no parties, not gorging yourself on too much food or drink. No presents or family gatherings or getting together with friends. The season is called Advent which comes from the Latin adventus which means coming (loosely translated). It is a penitential season for Catholics. Not as strict as Lent but penitential anyway. Which means that we keep the decorating to a bare minimum building gradually to a climax on Christmas. No putting up the tree on the day after Thanksgiving or stringing lights all over the outside of our houses before the snow even begins to fall. Usually the first thing to come out is the creche and that is put in a prominent place. The Advent wreath is used with each meals with appropriate prayers to bring to our minds the coming of Christ at Christmas and the fact that without the Incarnation we would all be lost.
Then comes Christmas Eve and the sacrifice of the Mass. Then begins our celebration. The organ at church plays the triumphal hymns Joy to the World and Angels We Have Heard on High. The Church is decorated with greens that remind us of the new life that is begun in the stable in Bethlehem. The candles are lit the represent the coming of Jesus as the Light of the World and the incense is used throughout the Mass as a reminder of our prayers rising upward to heaven.
When my children were little one of the first things that we did after coming home from Mass was to stand by the creche and sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus. This was a reminder that it was not a day for them to be receiving gifts but a day for celebrating the Birthday of our Lord. We never emphasised Santa Claus in this house but rather the coming of Our Lord and Savior in the stable in Bethlehem. The Christamas carols that are played in this house are predominantly those about Our Lord and Saviors birth and not about Santa Claus although we do listen to them as well.
Certain foods are reserved for this time of year as well. In this house such things as tangerines and nutroll are only eaten at Christmas time. The rules of meal time are relaxed and we spend a lot of time eating, it seems. Now is the time for family get togethers. Now is the time when we have friends over and we go to see friends. Now is the time for Christmas parties. Although the gifts from immediate family are exchanged on Christmas day this is also the time for exchanging gifts with friends and co-workers. This is what we as Catholics call the octive of Christmas and it will end with the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany.
My point for telling all of this? for those of you who feel “okay Christmas day is over and now what?” it is because the focus of the season has been gradually shifted in the wrong direction. It is not only being taken away from Our Lord Jesus is it being taken away from the seasons that He set aside for the celebration of His birthday.
It is beautiful that we build up gradually to the celebration of Christmas and then gradually wind down to the Feast of the Epiphany when He was manifested to the gentiles. Then after that we have a quiet time before we begin the next penitential season of Lent.
God bless all of you during this beautiful season of Christmas.
Comments (7)
I remember bringing a school friend to church with me on Epiphany Sunday. She was puzzled that we sang “We Three Kings”. She asked “Why are you still singing Christmas Carols?” It was great fun explaining to her. I did sometimes resent that I was born on 6th January, as my birthday cake was always a King Cake, but I’ve gotten more comfortable with that over the years.
I hope you’re feeling a bit more mobile and that you’re healing well. Prayers for your complete recovery… and a very gentle hug.
I find the various traditions of others on Xanga and other types of churches etc. so interesting. Isn’t it good that we are all so different. Wouldn’t it be an odd world if everyone did things the same? Glad that you are feeling up to enjoying the season.
guess there’s still time – between the bronchitis and the blues – didn’t get past the “preparation for delivery” stage
There is much of my Catholic roots that I cherish – though i can’t follow much of the dogma any longer.. blessings to you and yours dear lady
@pamilvr - I thank you for your blessings and extend my own to you and to yours. I am sorry to hear that you are unwell but as you say, there is still time. As for your Catholic roots and the dogma that you no longer follow……perhaps a lack of learning or understanding? If I can ever help or enlighten please feel free to ask. Have a very merry octave of Christmas.
@perelandra30 - perhaps wise not to go there –especially in this format – but being the mere fallible human i am-the rote roots of my upbringing brought me to a place where i’ knew where to run in times of tempest – but the study i’ve done since ( then, there was little reading the bible or studying) — and even aside from it–there is just no way i could get over- the Lord inviting to His table -and telling some they mustn’t eat w/o human absolution or being part of the select –
Could you stand the tongue in cheek – “i bet there’ll be plenty Catholics (Jews,protestants etc) in Heaven”?
On the first day of Christmas….
Many blessings to you and yours dear one
You are prayed for
Happy Boxing day as well.
May your days be merry and bright and may you be safe and warm tonight
This is very similar to how we celebrate.