Parish Bulletin Article: "Curiosity with the Christmas Octave": 12-30-18

Christmas continues to go forward as it is eight days long!

Within this Octave (= eight days), we have some amazing liturgies and here is the calendar we have this year for Christmas:

1.    Tuesday, December 25th= Christmas= Day #1

2.    Wednesday, December 26th: Feast of St. Stephen, first martyr= Day #2

3.    Thursday, December 27th: Feast of St. John, Apostle and evangelist= Day #3

4.    Friday, December 28th: Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs= Day #4

5.    Saturday Morning, December 29th: The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas= Day #5

6.    Saturday Evening/Sunday Morning, December 29th/30th: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph= Day #6

7.    Monday Morning, December 31st: The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas= Day #7

8.    Monday Evening/Tuesday whole day: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God= Day #8= Last day of Christmas!

Now, this “calendar list” is unique, especially compared to the rest of our liturgical year.  As I write this, I would like to propose some great questions that might encourage you to reflect on these possibilities in our lives. 

Here’s one off the bat.  Why does the first day of this Octave begin on December 25th, while we also have Christmas Eve on December 24th or Midnight Mass?

Another curious question: the next day—26th—we celebrate a Feast for St. Stephen who was stoned to death.  Whoa! And then the 28th is titled as the “Feast of the Holy Innocents,” some of the most egregious acts in the scriptures as Herod slaughtered little ones to avoid a new king (supposedly).  How do these “martyrs” (= St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents which means witnesses) connect to Christmas? 

Then imagine the readings and life of St. John the Evangelist on the 27th, right between the days just written above.  Why?

Or, how do some days have two different types of liturgies, like the 29th with “The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas” and in the evening for Jesus’ Holy Family?

Finally, how does the eight days of Christmas, which also begins the new year with Mary, Mother of God?

I mention these questions, not to ask for homework or tests (though I may add them when our students are back from Christmas break!), but to offer some cool thoughts, conversations and insights into our Catholic liturgical opportunities.

And yes, I always love these types of thoughts, ideas and conversations.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!