When we think of Christmas, we’re temped to think of it as just one day, or a small holiday period at the end of the year characterised by Mass, presents and family get togethers.
But Christmas is far more than just a day, it’s a liturgical season, dedicated to the Birth of our Lord, beginning with the Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concluding with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
During the season, we not only share in the joys of the birth of Jesus, but the sorrows of those who died for His mission, which began on first Christmas Day.
The season begins with the Nativity of the Lord, celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Lord and saviour. We exchange gifts with one another, sharing in the gift-giving of the Three Wise Men, who came to give gifts to the young Messiah.
But when the Christmas wrapping is all packed away and the leftovers put into the fridge, it’s important to remember that a beautiful season has just begun, not ended.
After celebrating the Nativity of the Lord on Christmas Day, we celebrate the feast of St Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, who was stoned to death for fervently defending the faith following the death of Jesus.
A day later, the Church commemorates the feast of St John the Apostle, who wrote several of the New Testament books, including the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of John. The Book of Revelation prophetically describes the trials many Christians will face, and the Second Coming of Jesus. Just as the Christmas season is a reminder of His original birth, it’s also a season to remember His return.
On December 28, we remember the Massacre of the Holy Innocents, when Herod the Great ordered the execution of all male children who were two years old and younger. These children are seen as the first Christian martyrs, who died instead of Jesus, and whose sacrifice bore the fruit of salvation for all.
On December 30, we then celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, a model of tranquility and harmony for all families. During the Christmas season when many families are united and reunited, it’s a beautiful time of reflection to understand how we can emulate the Holy Family in our own family units.
The end of the year then represents a great time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the next, focusing on how we will continue to grow spiritually and where we may be able to serve others in the new year.
On January 1, we observe the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, venerating the Blessed Virgin as the one who birthed Jesus, laying the path for our salvation. It’s a time for us to remember her as our spiritual mother and ask for her intercession as we begin the new year.
On January 3, we celebrate Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, when Jesus was named, fulfilling the prophecy of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
On January 8, we then celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, symbolising the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ, commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles.
A day later, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, commemorating the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, when the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and he was first identified publicly as the Son of God.
All these feasts and commemorations represent important events in the mission of Jesus.
Throughout the Christmas season, when many of us are granted time off from work, let us make extra time to attend Mass or spend time in prayer, remembering and commemorating the birth of Our Lord, His earthly mission and the mission of those who followed or died so that the message of Christ could be spread throughout the world.