Ethan Walker
The Catholic Christmas season typically begins on Christmas Day, the 25th of December, and ends on the Sunday after Epiphany, which falls on the 6th of January. This period is known as the Octave of Christmas and extends the celebration of the feast of the Nativity of the Lord for eight days until the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, on the 1st of January. The liturgical season of Christmas concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, marking the beginning of Ordinary Time. The Christmas cycle is considered by some to extend until Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on the 2nd of February.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Start of the Catholic Christmas season | Christmas Eve Vigil Masses, celebrating the Nativity of the Lord |
| End of the Catholic Christmas season | The Sunday after the Feast of the Epiphany, the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord |
| The 12 Days of Christmas | The 12 days between Christmas Day and Epiphany |
| Octave of Christmas | The eight days between Christmas Day and January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God |
| Candlemas | The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2nd |
| Christmas tree | To be taken down when it starts shedding needles, but no later than February 2nd |
| Christmas decorations | To be kept up until Candlemas, according to tradition in some countries and households |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Christmas season ends on the Sunday after Epiphany
Epiphany, also known as "Theophany" in the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, commemorates the manifestation of Jesus' divinity at his Baptism in the River Jordan. It is traditionally celebrated on January 6th, but in some countries like the United States, it is observed on the Sunday between January 2nd and 8th. The season of Epiphany lasts eight days, from Epiphany on January 6th to the Baptism of the Lord on January 13th.
The Catholic Christmas season, also known as "Christmastide", includes both the season of Christmas (the 12 days from Christmas Day to Epiphany) and the season of Epiphany. During this time, clergy wear white, except during St. Stephen's Day and the Feast of the Holy Innocents when they wear red.
The end of the Christmas season is marked by the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is observed on the Sunday after Epiphany. This feast signifies the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and is considered one of the events signalling that God has broken into human history in a unique way.
While the liturgical season of Christmas ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, some Catholics extend their Christmas celebrations until Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. On this day, Catholics bring candles to the church to be blessed and then light them at home during prayer as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
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The 12 Days of Christmas
The Catholic Christmas season starts on the Nativity, December 25, and ends on the Sunday Mass celebration of the Epiphany. The 12 Days of Christmas fall between two major Christian feasts: the Nativity on Christmas Day and Epiphany, celebrated on January 6. In the US Catholic Church, Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday after January 6 at Mass. The 12 Days build on the Octave of Christmas, which ends on New Year's Day.
The "12 Days of Christmas" is a sixteenth-century secular carol that likely had pre-Christian roots. The song was originally written in England to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. This was during the period 1558 to 1829 when it was a crime to be a Catholic. The song was a memory aid, as being caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could result in imprisonment or even execution.
The carol uses seemingly secular images or symbols to disguise its true meaning. For example, the "true love" mentioned in each stanza refers not to an earthly suitor but to God, and the "me" to whom the gifts are presented refers to any baptized Catholic. The partridge in a pear tree is Christ, with the pear tree symbolizing the salvation of mankind. The two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments, and the six geese a-laying represent the six days of creative work recounted in Genesis.
The Octave of Christmas includes the eight days between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. During this time, all the readings and prayers during the celebration of Mass are related to the birth of Christ. The eighth day of Christmas, January 1, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God—a holy day on which all Catholics are obliged to celebrate Mass.
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The Octave of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas, which are the 12 days between Christmas Day and Epiphany, build on the Octave of Christmas. The "12 Days" likely had pre-Christian roots and were adapted to fit the Church calendar in celebration of the Nativity. The Feast of the Epiphany, also known as "Three Kings Day", celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and the day the Magi visited Jesus in Bethlehem.
The liturgical season of Christmas ends with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, after which clergy wear green vestments to mark the beginning of Ordinary Time. However, some Catholics continue to celebrate Christmas until Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2. This feast commemorates the presentation of the Lord in the Temple and has traditionally been accompanied by a candlelight procession and the blessing of candles for liturgical use.
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The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
During the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Catholics reflect on the solidarity that Jesus demonstrated with humanity by choosing to receive the baptism of repentance, even though he was sinless. This act symbolizes Jesus' willingness to unite himself with fallen humanity and bear their sins. The feast day is also an opportunity for Catholics to celebrate their oneness with God and the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is received through baptism.
The specific date of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord can vary slightly depending on the year and the liturgical calendar being followed. In some cases, when Epiphany is observed on January 7 or 8, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday instead of Sunday.
In addition to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Catholics also observe Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2. This day marks the end of the Christmas season for some Catholics, who traditionally keep their Christmas decorations up until this feast.
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Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
The Biblical Significance of Candlemas
Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, as described in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2. According to Jewish law, Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple for his dedication and circumcision, forty days after his birth. This presentation fulfilled the Law of Moses, which required first-born sons to be dedicated to the Lord.
The Tradition of Candles
The name "Candlemas" is derived from the traditional practice of blessing and distributing candles during the liturgy. These candles are then lit by the faithful at home during prayer or challenging times, symbolizing Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. The candlelight also represents the prophetic words of Simeon, who proclaimed that Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Isaiah 49:6).
A Day of Humility and Obedience
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a day of humility and obedience, reflecting on Mary and Joseph's dedication to fulfilling the law of the Lord. It is also a day of prophetic mystery, as Simeon foretold to Mary the suffering she would endure for her son's sake.
Cultural Variations
The feast has different names in various traditions. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Greek Catholic Churches, it is known as "The Meeting of Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ." In the Anglican Communion, it is known as "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)" in the Church of England and "The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary" in the Anglican Church of Canada. In Sweden and Finland, Candlemas is always celebrated on a Sunday, falling between February 2 and February 8.
Marking the End of Christmas
Candlemas is often associated with the conclusion of the Christmas season. In some countries and households, it is customary to keep Christmas decorations up until this feast day. The celebration of Candlemas includes public festivities in various parts of the world, such as Peru, Puerto Rico, France, and Belgium.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Christmas season ends on the Sunday after the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This usually falls on the second Sunday of January.
The Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, commemorates the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. It is also known as Three Kings Day, celebrating the three Magi who visited Jesus in Bethlehem.
The eight days from the Epiphany on January 6 to the Baptism of the Lord on January 13 are known as the season of Epiphany.
Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, falls on February 2. On this day, Catholics bring candles to church to be blessed and later lit during prayer. Candlemas is considered by some to be the end of the Christmas season.
