I know some folks want to take the tree down and put the decorations away right after the New Year—in fact I’ve already seen one tree curbside—but the Christmas season, liturgically speaking, does not end until January 12th, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (and in Europe the Christmas season traditionally continues until February 2nd, the Presentation of the Lord).

It might be that our desire to end the season of Christmas well before the Epiphany of the Lord, January 8, is due to the fact that we begin the Christmas season right around Halloween. And already we are seeing Valentine’s Day candies and cards in the stores! It is the hope of the Church that we will keep the Christmas season alive until January 8, if not until the 12th—perhaps the flowers and wreaths might not last, but our Christmas prayers certainly can. In fact as I write this bulletin, we are in the Octave of Christ-mas—eight days that offer us a time to more fully understand the meaning of Christ’s Incarnation into humanity—and what that means for my very soul, what it means for my salvation. (We as a Church as celebrate Octaves for Easter and Pentecost, as we need time to take in the significance of God’s Love for us). We need to ask ourselves during this Octave of Christmas: what does Christ’s birth mean for my life? How has it affected me, and how do I show my gratitude and thanks for His Love?

Merry Christmas!