THE FEASTS OF CHRISTMAS

                The Twelve Days of the Christmas Season continues. Christmas Time is a short season that is filled with many feasts especially at the beginning. Each celebration offers another vision of what the Incarnation means to us.

                December 26th was the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, a witness to God’s love given to us through the birth of His Son. The Feast of St. John the Apostle was December 27th who preached the Gospel, spreading the Love of Christ into the world. December 28th was the Feast of the Holy Innocents whose lives were taken in the place of the Christ-Child.

                Today we celebrate the great Feast of the Holy Family which reminds us of the love that is so necessary for family life. Tomorrow we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. Mary is the prime example of what it means to do the will of God.

                During the coming week we will celebrate the feasts of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen who were close friends and aided the Church’s understanding of the Incarnation. On January 4th, the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a married mother of five and founder of the Sisters of Charity who had a great impact on the life of the Church in the United States. St. John Neumann is remembered on January 5th for his missionary work in the United States especially in Western New York.

                Next Sunday, January 7th, is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord when we celebrate the visit of the wise men to Jesus bringing their precious gifts. The Christmas Season will conclude on January 8th with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

                Christmas moves from the Incarnation to the Baptism of the Lord very quickly. It is as if Jesus grew up in a couple weeks. These are great celebrations to behold and enjoy. They are God’s gifts of love to us. Let us rejoice and be glad in this glorious season.