Rachel Evans
There are no strict rules on when Catholics should put up or take down Christmas decorations, but there are certain dates that are considered more appropriate than others. Some Catholics put up their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, while others put it up earlier, leaving it bare until Advent III or so. The liturgical season of Christmas ends with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls in early to mid-January. Many Catholics leave their decorations up until Epiphany on January 6, which marks the last day of the 12 days of Christmas. Some even keep them up until Candlemas on February 2, which marks the end of Christmastide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Christmas decorations put up | Any time, but some put them up during Advent or after Thanksgiving |
| Christmas decorations taken down | Any time, but some take them down after Epiphany (Jan 6) or Candlemas (Feb 2) |
| Official end of the Christmas season | Feast of the Baptism of the Lord |
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What You'll Learn
Decorating the tree on Christmas Eve
There are no church rules or regulations on decorating your home for Christmas. Decorate when and how you feel comfortable and enjoy the process. Some people put up their tree and house decorations during Advent, leaving it bare until Christmas Eve when they decorate the tree. Others put up their decorations in stages, starting from November 1, with the final touches being added a day or two before Christmas Eve.
The Christmas tree is usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine, or fir, associated with the celebration of Christmas. It may also be an artificial tree of similar appearance. The custom was developed in Central Europe, particularly Germany, where Protestant Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. The tree was traditionally decorated with "roses made of coloured paper, tinsel, apples, wafers, and confectionery". Moravian Christians began to illuminate Christmas trees with candles, which were later replaced by Christmas lights.
Today, there is a wide variety of traditional and modern ornaments, such as garlands, baubles, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the Angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem, respectively, from the Nativity. Presents are often placed under the tree to be opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Some people leave their Christmas decorations up until at least Epiphany, with a few fragile items being taken down after the Twelfth Night. Others follow the medieval tradition of leaving them up until Candlemas (February 2), which marks the end of Christmastide.
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Leaving decorations up until Epiphany
While there are no church rules or regulations on decorating your own home, and the decision is largely a personal one, many Catholics leave their Christmas decorations up until at least Epiphany, which falls on 6 January. This date marks the last day of the 12 days of Christmas, and the traditional end of the Christmas season.
Some Catholics leave their decorations up until Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on 2 February. This feast day is considered the last day of Christmastide, and some Catholics in the medieval tradition continue their celebrations until this date. On Candlemas, many Catholics bring candles to church to be blessed, and these candles are then lit during prayer or difficult times as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
The liturgical season of Christmas ends with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on the first Sunday after 6 January. After this date, clergy members wear the green vestments of Ordinary Time.
Some Catholics put up their Christmas decorations in stages, starting in November, with final additions in the days before Christmas Eve. Others put up their tree and decorations on Christmas Eve itself, leaving them up until Epiphany or Candlemas.
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The Feast of the Purification of Our Lady
There are no official church rules or regulations on when to put up or take down Christmas decorations. However, some Catholics put up their Christmas decorations throughout Advent and take them down after Epiphany, while others leave them up until Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady, which falls on 2 February. This feast day marks the end of Christmastide, occurring 40 days after Christmas.
On this day, the Church blesses candles, one of the three principal blessings observed during the year. These blessed candles are lit near the bed of a dying Christian, symbolising immortality through Christ and the protection of the Blessed Lady. The candles also signify light, health of body and soul, and honour. The feast day is a joyous occasion, recalling the procession that took place in the Temple of Jerusalem during Mary's Purification.
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The liturgical season of Christmas
The season of Christmas is marked by several significant dates that guide the liturgical calendar and influence when Catholics may choose to display their decorations. One suggestion is to keep decorations up through the entire liturgical season of Christmas. The season officially ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, observed on the first Sunday after January 6. This date marks the conclusion of the Christmas season and the beginning of Ordinary Time, when clergy wear green vestments.
The feast of the Epiphany on January 6 is also considered significant, marking the last day of the 12 days of Christmas. Some Catholics choose to keep their decorations up until this date, which is also known as Twelfth Night and is celebrated with bonfires, grilled meat, singing, and wine. However, the celebrations don't stop there, as the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, also known as Candlemas, is considered the last day of Christmas celebrations by some. On this day, Catholics bring candles to church to be blessed and then use them during prayer at home.
The decision on when to take down Christmas decorations is often influenced by personal traditions and customs. Some Catholics may opt to keep their decorations up until late January or even leave them up all year round. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the timing depends on individual and family preferences, as well as the complexity and effort involved in putting up and taking down the decorations.
In summary, the liturgical season of Christmas in the Catholic Church is a joyous and festive period that begins on December 25 and extends beyond with no fixed end date. The official end of the season is marked by the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, but celebrations often continue until Candlemas on February 2, with some Catholics choosing to keep their decorations up until these dates or even longer.
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Candlemas celebrations
Candlemas, a Christian festival observed on 2 February, commemorates the Virgin Mary's presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. This presentation occurred 40 days after his birth, in accordance with Jewish law, which required Mary to undergo a purification ritual as well. Known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Roman Catholic Church, it was previously called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Anglican Church, it is referred to as the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, while the Greek Church uses the name Hypapante (Meeting), referencing Jesus' encounter with Simeon and the prophet Anna.
The festival's earliest celebration was recorded in Jerusalem by the Western pilgrim Etheria (or Egeria/Silvia) in the late 4th century, when it was held on 14 February, 40 days after Epiphany, which was then considered Christ's birthday. Over time, the festival spread to other Eastern cities, and in 542, Justinian I changed its date to 2 February, marking 40 days after Christmas. In the Middle Ages, the custom of using lighted candles during the festival emerged, giving rise to its name, Candlemas.
In terms of the length of the Christmas season, there is no definitive rule among Catholics. Some choose to take down their decorations after Epiphany (6 January), while others follow the medieval tradition of extending it until Candlemas on 2 February. Ultimately, the decision is left to individual preference, with some Catholics choosing to keep their decorations up beyond Candlemas.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no official rule on how long to keep Christmas decorations up, but it is common to keep them up until at least the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas.
Some Catholics keep their decorations up until Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2. This date marks the end of the Christmas season and is the last day that the Vatican keeps its Christmas tree and crèche in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
There is no official rule on when to put Christmas decorations up, but some choose to decorate their homes during Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Others wait until later in the festive season, such as Christmas Eve.
Candlemas is a traditional celebration of the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. It is marked by bringing candles to church to be blessed and then lighting them at home during prayer as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
