Michael Brooks
There is no strict rule for when Catholics should take down their Christmas trees, but traditionally, Catholics keep their Christmas trees up until Epiphany, also known as Three Kings' Day, which falls on January 6. This marks the last day of the 12 days of Christmas, which begin on Christmas Day. However, some Catholics may choose to keep their Christmas trees up until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, following the Vatican's example. Ultimately, the decision of when to take down Christmas trees and decorations is left to the discretion of individual Catholics and their families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date to remove Christmas tree | No strict rules, but some sources suggest taking it down on 2 January, 6 January, 7 January or even as late as 2 February |
| Cultural and religious significance | Epiphany, the last day of the 12 days of Christmas, is considered a significant day to remove Christmas trees and decorations |
| Safety considerations | Real Christmas trees can become a fire hazard after five weeks; drying out, yellowing or browning needles indicate the need for removal |
| Personal preferences | Decisions may be influenced by family traditions, spiritual needs, and individual interpretations of the liturgical calendar |
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What You'll Learn
- There are no strict rules for Catholics regarding Christmas trees
- Some Catholics take trees down after the Octave of Christmas
- The Epiphany is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas
- The Baptism of the Lord falls on the first Sunday after January 6
- Candlemas Day on February 2 marks the end of Christmastide
There are no strict rules for Catholics regarding Christmas trees
For example, some Catholics may choose to put up their Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving, while others may wait until Christmas Eve to set it up, respecting the season of Advent as a time of quiet preparation for the coming of Christ. Similarly, Catholics may choose to take down their Christmas tree on January 2, the day after the octave concludes, or they may keep it up until Epiphany on January 6, which marks the last day of the 12 days of Christmas. The Christmas season officially ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, celebrated in 2024 on the Sunday after Epiphany.
In terms of the Vatican, the Christmas tree and crèche in St. Peter's Square in Rome are typically kept up until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2. This late date provides a good guideline for Catholics who wish to keep their Christmas decorations up for an extended period.
Ultimately, the decision of when to put up and take down a Christmas tree is left to the prudential judgment of individual Catholics and their families, keeping in mind the liturgical significance of the Christmas season in the Catholic Church.
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Some Catholics take trees down after the Octave of Christmas
The Christmas tree is neither a sacramental nor a liturgical item in the Catholic Church. As such, there are no strict rules on when a Catholic should put up or take down their Christmas tree. However, some Catholics take their trees down after the Octave of Christmas, which is celebrated as an eight-day feast that begins on the Nativity, December 25, and concludes on a high note with another solemnity that echoes the solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.
The eight days of the Christmas Octave are celebrated almost as though they were Christmas Day itself. Each day during the Octave, the "Gloria" is sung during Mass, and each day is generally a day of great feasting. The first day of the Octave, December 25, is celebrated as Christmas, and the eighth day, January 1, is celebrated as the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
The Christmas Octave has been celebrated by the Catholic Church since at least the seventh century. The celebration of important liturgical feasts with "octaves" or eight days of celebration has been a tradition since at least the fourth century. The dynamic of the Octave is different from that of the days that follow it, which are not part of the Octave. These days include the Solemnity of Epiphany and the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
The Christmas season officially ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, after which "ordinary time" begins on the liturgical calendar. However, some Catholic cultures continue to celebrate until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas on February 2. This is the last day that the Vatican keeps up its Christmas tree and crèche in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
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The Epiphany is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas
There are no strict rules about when a Catholic should take down their Christmas tree. However, it is generally considered that Catholics should hold off on taking down their Christmas trees until after the 12 days of Christmas are over. The 12 days of Christmas begin on 25 December and end on 6 January, which is known as the Epiphany or Three Kings' Day. This is the day that the Three Wise Men came to visit Jesus and is considered the official end of the Christmas season.
The Christmas season is a time of celebration for Catholics, with the church treating the eight days following Christmas almost like Christmas Day itself. This period is known as the "octave". As such, some Catholics may choose to keep their Christmas trees up until the day after the octave concludes, which is 2 January.
The feast of the Epiphany is a significant day in the Catholic Church, marking the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. However, the latest feast in the celebration of the Incarnation is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on 2 February. The Vatican keeps its Christmas tree and crèche in St. Peter's Square in Rome until this date, so Catholics who follow suit cannot be criticised for keeping their decorations up until this point.
Ultimately, the decision of when to take down a Christmas tree is left to the discretion of individual Catholics and their families' holiday traditions and spiritual needs.
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The Baptism of the Lord falls on the first Sunday after January 6
In the Catholic Church, there are no strict rules about when to put up or take down a Christmas tree. It depends on a Catholic family's traditions and spiritual needs. Some families put up their Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving, while others wait until Christmas Eve.
The Christmas season officially ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on the first Sunday after 6 January (Epiphany). In 2024, the church will celebrate the feast on 7 January. In 2025, it will be celebrated on 12 January. In 2026, it will be on 11 January, and in 2027, on 10 January.
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord commemorates Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It is viewed as connected to the Epiphany, which celebrates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana.
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Candlemas Day on February 2 marks the end of Christmastide
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Feast of the Holy Encounter, is a Christian feast day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Joseph and Mary. It falls on February 2, which is traditionally the 40th day of and the conclusion of the Christmas-Epiphany season.
In the Catholic Church, there are no strict rules about when to put up or take down a Christmas tree. It depends on a family's holiday traditions and spiritual needs. Some Catholics take their Christmas trees down on Epiphany, which is on January 6 or 7, depending on the year. Others wait until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on the Sunday after January 6. However, some Catholics keep their Christmas decorations up until Candlemas on February 2, which is considered the official end of the Christmas season. This date coincides with the day the Vatican takes down its Christmas tree and crèche in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
In some countries, Christians traditionally remove their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve (Twelfth Night), while in other Christian countries, they are kept up until after Candlemas. In the Philippines, Our Lady of Candles is the patroness of the Western Visayas region, and her feast day on February 2 marks the final close of the Christmas season. Similarly, Catholics in Puerto Rico celebrate the festivities of Candelaria on February 2, including a procession carrying the statue of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Our Lady of the Light), officially finalizing the end of Christmas.
Candlemas traditions in France, Belgium, and Swiss Romandy include considering it the day of crêpes. This custom is attributed to Pope Gelasius I, who distributed pancakes to pilgrims arriving in Rome. The round, golden crêpes are reminiscent of the solar disc, symbolizing the return of spring. In Mexico, the Virgin of Candles is the patron saint of Jacaltenango, and her feast day marks the end of the Christmas season. Traditions include dressing and adoring the Christ Child and sharing family meals with tamales.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no strict rules on when Catholics should take down their Christmas trees. Some sources suggest that Catholics traditionally keep their Christmas trees up until the Epiphany on January 6th or 7th, which marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. Others suggest keeping them up until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd, which is when the Vatican takes down its Christmas tree. Ultimately, the decision is up to each individual and their family's holiday traditions and spiritual needs.
Keeping the Christmas tree up until the Epiphany helps distinguish between the Advent season and the Christmas season, allowing Catholics to celebrate Advent to its fullest. It also allows them to celebrate all 12 days of Christmas with the same joy and enthusiasm as their English, Australian, and Canadian brethren.
The Epiphany, also known as Three Kings' Day, marks the day when the three wise men came to pay homage to the child Jesus. It is considered the last day of the Christmas season, and the day after the octave concludes could be a good day to take down the Christmas tree.
Yes, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which usually falls on the first Sunday after January 6th, is also an important date in the Catholic Church. While it marks the official end of the Christmas season, some Catholics may choose to keep their Christmas decorations up until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd.
