Rachel Evans
There is a lot of confusion about the length of the Catholic Christmas season. Some sources state that Christmas is celebrated for eight days, referring to the Christmas octave, which begins on the feast of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25th) and ends on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1st). Others claim that Christmas lasts for twelve days, starting on December 25th and ending on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, which commemorates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. The twelve days of Christmas are also referred to as Christmastide and include the season of Christmas and the season of Epiphany, which lasts eight days from the Epiphany to the commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord. Some Catholics extend their celebrations until Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2nd.
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What You'll Learn
The Christmas octave
During the Octave, all readings and prayers during the celebration of Mass are related to the birth of Christ, and the "Gloria" is sung each day during Mass. Each day is regarded as a day of great feasting. The Christmas Octave is one of only two octaves celebrated by the Church, the other being Easter. While Easter is celebrated as a solemnity each day, the Christmas Octave has two solemnities, Christmas Day and the Octave Day, with the days in between being varying levels of feast days.
The Octave Day is kept with greater solemnity than the days within the octave. The days within the octave include feast days such as St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, the Holy Innocents, and the Holy Family. The liturgical calendar provides a built-in pattern that includes times of preparation and penance leading up to major feasts, which are then prolonged and celebrated with multi-level feast days.
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The twelve days of Christmas
The song, which likely originated in France, contains hidden references to the Catholic Church. For instance, the partridge, a bird known to sacrifice its life for its babies, represents Jesus, who is willing to give his life for us. The pear tree symbolizes the Cross. The two turtle doves, often associated with lifelong mating, represent the Old and New Testaments. The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, including Charity, Joy, Peace, and Patience.
During the twelve days of Christmas, clergy wear white, except during St. Stephen's Day and the Feast of the Holy Innocents, when they wear red. The Christmas season is a time of joyful celebration, and many Christians observe special traditions and prepare special foods during this period.
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The season of Epiphany
The word "Epiphany" comes from the Greek "epiphania", meaning the visit of a god to earth. The feast of Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God, focusing on three main events in the life of Christ: the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River, and the first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Epiphany is known as Theophany, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus' divinity at his baptism.
The length of the Epiphany season varies, and it ends at different points defined by different denominations. In some traditions, it lasts for eight days, from Epiphany on January 6 to the commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord on January 13. In others, it continues until Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2. During Candlemas, Catholics bring candles to church to be blessed and later used during prayer or difficult times as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
In Methodism, the Epiphany season runs from Epiphany Day until Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. In Lutheranism, it runs from Epiphany Day until Septuagesima Sunday, three Sundays before Shrove Tuesday, or until the day before Ash Wednesday. In the Moravian Church, the season ends on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
Popular Epiphanytide customs include Epiphany singing, chalking doors, and families inviting their pastor to bless their homes.
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The Feast of the Epiphany
The Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God to the Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi, and his baptism in the Jordan River, as well as the wedding at Cana. It commemorates the manifestation of Jesus' divinity and is an invitation for all people to follow Christ. The Wise Men were the first Gentiles to encounter Christ, and their bravery in taking risks to find the truth is highlighted during Epiphany celebrations.
The traditions and cultural practices associated with the Feast of the Epiphany vary across the world. In Italy, for example, La Befana brings sweets and gifts to children on Epiphany instead of Christmas. In Latin America, the Philippines, Portugal, and Spain, children also receive presents on "Three Kings Day." In Ireland, Catholics celebrate "Women's Christmas," where women take a break from domestic work and come together to enjoy a special meal. Polish Catholics take chalk, gold, incense, and amber to be blessed during Mass, and they inscribe their homes with blessed chalk as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
The Epiphany is also celebrated with a King Cake, a sweet treat that sometimes contains a figurine or a lone nut. The person who finds the surprise in their cake may receive special treatment for the day or may be expected to host a party during the Epiphany season. The season of Epiphany lasts until February 2nd, and Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, marks the end of this season. On this day, Catholics bring candles to church for a blessing and then use them during prayer at home.
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The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
In the Catholic Church, as well as in Anglican and Lutheran Churches, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is usually celebrated on the first Sunday following Epiphany (January 6). However, when Epiphany falls on January 7 or 8, the feast is celebrated on the following Monday. In Lutheran Churches with Scandinavian history, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the Baptism of Christ is observed on the final Sunday before Lent, also known as Quinquagesima Sunday.
Through the celebration of this feast, Christians are reminded of their own baptism and the unity it brings with the Holy Trinity. It is a time to reflect on the gift of the Holy Spirit and the idea that every person is "the Lord's beloved child." The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a significant day in the Catholic Church, marking the end of the Christmas season and the transition to Ordinary Time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church celebrates Christmas for eight days, from December 25 to January 1. This period is known as the Octave of Christmas.
The Octave of Christmas is an eight-day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It begins on the feast of the Nativity of the Lord and ends on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
During the Octave of Christmas, all readings and prayers during the celebration of Mass are related to the birth of Christ. The clergy wear white, except during St. Stephen's Day and the Feast of the Holy Innocents, when they wear red.
After the Octave of Christmas, the Catholic Church celebrates the Epiphany on January 6. The Epiphany commemorates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God to the Three Wise Men, as well as his baptism in the Jordan River and the wedding at Cana.
The Christmas season for Catholics can be considered to last until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on the Sunday after the Epiphany (usually the second Sunday of January). However, some Catholics extend the Christmas season until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2.
