Joshua Bennett
There is no definitive answer to when Catholics should take down their Nativity scene, as there are no official norms or absolute rules. Some Catholics take down their Nativity scenes after the Epiphany on January 6th, while others wait until Candlemas on February 2nd. The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas, is considered by some to be the end of the Christmas season, and the date on which Christmas decorations should be taken down. The liturgical season of Christmas ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls in early to mid-January and is considered by some to be the appropriate time to take down Christmas decorations. Ultimately, the decision of when to take down a Nativity scene is based on personal traditions and customs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date to take down the Nativity scene | There is no absolute rule, it varies from place to place. It could be after the Epiphany, after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or on Candlemas (2nd February). |
| Official end of the Christmas season | The feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls in early to mid-January. |
| Diocesan bishops | May issue local guidelines on when to take down the Nativity scene. |
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What You'll Learn
There is no absolute rule
In some countries, it is customary to keep Christmas decorations, including Nativity scenes, until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, on February 2nd. This tradition is reflected in the poems of Robert Herrick (1591-1554), who mentions taking down Christmas greenery "On Candlemas Eve." The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a significant day for Catholics, who bring candles to church to be blessed and then use them during prayer or challenging times as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
The decision to take down Nativity scenes may also be influenced by local guidelines provided by diocesan bishops, adding another layer of variation to the timing. Ultimately, the timing of taking down Nativity scenes is a matter of personal choice and the specific traditions followed by individuals or communities.
While there is no rigid rule, Catholics generally keep their Nativity scenes up well beyond Christmas Day, reflecting the liturgical season of Christmas, which is considered to extend beyond December 25th in the Roman Catholic Church. This extended celebration of Christmas is evident in the traditions and practices of Catholics worldwide.
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Diocesan bishops' guidelines
In some places, it may be customary to dismantle the Nativity scene after the Epiphany, which falls on January 6. This date marks the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God and the arrival of the Magi, who brought gifts to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
In other places, it may be more common to take down the Nativity scene after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the end of the official Christmas season in the current calendar. This feast usually occurs on the Sunday after the Epiphany. However, when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and the Epiphany is celebrated on January 8, the feast is observed on the following Monday, January 9, extending the Christmas season by a day.
In some countries, it is not unusual to keep Christmas decorations, including the Nativity scene, until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, also known as Candlemas. This date was once considered the end of the Christmas season by the Church, and it is still observed with public celebrations in several countries.
The placement of the Nativity scene in church buildings should also be considered. While the Book of Blessings forbids placing the Nativity scene in the sanctuary, it does not prohibit its presence in the general area of the sanctuary, such as on a side altar that is no longer in use. Bishops' conferences at the national level have issued guidelines regarding the placement of the Nativity scene and other Christmas decorations.
Ultimately, the decision on when to take down the Nativity scene may be influenced by local customs, traditions, and guidelines provided by diocesan bishops. There is flexibility and variation in these practices, reflecting the diverse nature of Catholic traditions worldwide.
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The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
The celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord was originally a part of the feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. However, in the West, the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord has evolved into a distinct feast, separate from the Epiphany.
The feast was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 as a separate liturgical commemoration. It is a day when the Pope baptizes babies in the Sistine Chapel, a custom initiated by Pope John Paul II. During the feast, Christians celebrate their oneness with God and the beginning of their new unity with the Holy Trinity through baptism. It is a time to reflect on Jesus' act of deep solidarity with fallen humanity, as he freely chose to receive the baptism of repentance from John the Baptist, taking upon himself the sins of humanity.
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Candlemas
The festival is also referred to as the Feast of Lights, deriving its name from the custom of blessing and lighting candles, symbolising Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. The tradition of blessing candles dates back to at least the 7th century, with the candles being used throughout the year. In some countries, it is customary to eat pancakes or crêpes on Candlemas, attributed to Pope Gelasius I, who distributed wafers or flatbread to pilgrims in Rome.
In terms of Christmas decorations, there is no absolute rule for when to take them down, and customs vary. Some people choose to take them down right after the Epiphany on January 6th, while others follow the medieval tradition of keeping them up until Candlemas on February 2nd, marking the end of the Christmas cycle. This custom is reflected in the poems of Robert Herrick (1591-1654), who wrote about removing greenery and replacing it with boxwood on Candlemas Eve.
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The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is also the Purification of Mary and the Feast of Candlemas, marking 40 days after Christmas. In the Gospel of Luke, it is described how Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification and to offer sacrifice for her firstborn son, in accordance with Jewish law.
The feast has also been referred to as the "Feast of the Holy Encounter" because God, in the person of Jesus, encountered Simeon and Anna in the Temple. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, took Jesus into his arms and blessed God, recognising him as the salvation that had been prepared for all peoples. Anna, a prophetess, also recognised Jesus as the Messiah.
The date of Candlemas is established by the date set for the Nativity of Jesus, as it comes forty days afterwards. The blessing of candles was added to this feast to symbolise Simeon's prophecy that Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles". This custom of celebrating the feast with lighted candles dates back to at least the fifth century.
In some countries, it is customary to retain Christmas decorations until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on 2 February, also known as Candlemas. This tradition is witnessed by poet Robert Herrick (1591-1654) in his poems "Ceremony upon Candelmas Eve" and "Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve".
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Frequently asked questions
There is no absolute rule, but it is common to take down Nativity scenes after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the end of the Christmas season. This feast usually falls on the Sunday after the Epiphany.
The Epiphany is celebrated twelve days after Christmas, on 6 January. It marks the arrival of the Magi to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God.
2 February is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas. It is considered the last day of the Christmas season and the date when many Catholics take down their Christmas decorations.
Yes, there are variations in customs and traditions. Some Catholics take down their Nativity scenes after the Epiphany, while others wait until 2 February or even keep them up all year!
Diocesan bishops may issue local guidelines, but ultimately, the decision to take down Nativity scenes is based on individual traditions and customs.
