The Christmas Season

Christmas Day

Again, on Christmas Day, we light all five candles. However, the Christ Candle now symbolizes that Christ is present in our midst, in our homes, and in our lives. On Christmas Day we celebrate the fact that the Word became flesh and lives among us still. Christmas is, indeed, a time of great joy "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Here is a prayer you might use on Christmas Day:

On this special day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we come together as a family with thanksgiving and praise. We praise you for the gift of salvation, for loving us as we are. We thank you for our family and friends who love and care for us. Forgive us for all our sins, for hurting you and hurting people around us. Give us a forgiving heart to forgive those who hurt us in the past. May your Holy Spirit reconcile and unite our family from this day forward. We pray for healing of our bodies, our minds, emotions and relationships. We pray for each member of our family, for your love and peace to surround us, for your Holy Spirit to guide us, for your loving arms to comfort us. We dedicate this day to you. We pray for your blessings upon our home. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

There are 3 sets of scripture for Christmas Day. The first (Proper I) is to be read during the darkness of the night previous to Christmas Day (Christmas Eve). The second set (Proper II) is to be read at dawn on Christmas Day. And the third set (Proper III) is to be read during the light of Christmas Day. The readings are the same for Years A, B, and C. Here is the suggested scripture for Christmas Day:

After Advent

After Advent comes the Christmas season (the twelve days of Christmas). The Advent wreath can now be decorated with white candles and ribbons. If the evergreens of the wreath are getting 'tired' (shedding) they can be replaced with new evergreens. It is customary to light all the white candles during the principle meal each day. Some choose to hang the wreath in a place where others can see it (such as in an entrance hall or something). This also tends to add a festive note to the house. The wreath should be kept until Epiphany (January 6th) unless it sheds.

Holy Innocents

This is celebrated on December 28th and is a somewhat solemn event. King Herod, when the Wise Men asked where they could find the child who was born King of the Jews, became afraid. He wanted to be certain that his son inherited the kingdom of Israel. Therefore, he ordered that all children younger than his son should be killed. On this day we remember this slaughtering of the innocents. On a lighter note, we also remember that an angel came to Joseph in a dream and warned him of this impending slaughter. So Joseph took Mary and the Baby Jesus to Egypt and thereby kept them safe. But the main focus is to remember those innocent babies that were killed.

Holy Name of Jesus

This celebration falls on New Year's Day, January 1st. Although most people get involved with the "Happy New Year's" celebration, there is a much more significant reason for celebration on this day. This was the actual day when Jesus was circumcised (in a Jewish ceremony called bris) and given the name Jesus.

The scripture readings are, again, the same for all three years and are as follows:

The Feast of Epiphany

The Feast of Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, marks the last of the 12 days of Christmas. Epiphany was one of the three princple celebrations of the early Christian church, the other two being the celebrations of Easter and Pentecost. It is said to be the oldest of the Christmas feasts, celebrated since at least the 3rd century of the Christian era.

Epiphany means manifestation or revelation. It is the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan; the anniversary of the revelation of the Sonship of Christ and the Holy Trinity as revealed through His baptism (see Mark 3:16-17). This is the primary reason for the celebration of Epiphany in the Eastern churches. As a matter of fact, the Eastern Christian Church actually celebrates the Nativity on this day (December 25th being the day adopted by the Western Christian Church).

This feast of Epiphany is also known as the day of the Three Kings (Wise Men/Magi), and this is what the Western churches recognize as the Epiphany celebration. We are celebrating the visit of the three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Epiphany is, for this reason, sometimes referred to as the second Nativity.

On this day, it has become tradition for many families to take down the Christmas tree. This can be especially exciting for the children as they get to plunder the tree (eat the treats that have been hanging on the tree). Many families also bless their homes with holy water in rememberance of that blessed home where the Wise Men found the Christ Child and His mother.

And, of course, there is some suggested scripture readings for this day.