It’s Still Christmas

Happy New Year! But more importantly, Merry Christmas! Yes, it’s still Christmas. There’s more to Christmas than just one day. Jesus came to be born human—that’s more than a day’s worth of celebrating.

Let’s unpack that here.

Christmas Day or Christmas Season

In the secular world, they build up to a particular holiday, using all the decorations, food, and fun events before the day comes. Then, the day comes and goes and they pack it all up like it never happened. Seriously, some people put Christmas decorations away on December 26th and it just isn’t right.

If you follow the liturgy set by the Catholic Church, the only apostolic authority on the true celebration of Christ’s birth, you’ll notice it’s not Christmas until December 25th, and then it’s Christmas season. It’s not a one-day thing for us Catholics. In fact, there’s more to Christmas than even the Christmas season.

Liturgical Christmas Season to Ordinary Time

The liturgical season of Christmas starts with the vigil of (the night leading into) Christmas Day. This means we can start saying Merry Christmas at sundown on December 24th. We celebrate the Christmas season in the liturgy until Ordinary Time, which starts after Epiphany Sunday (this year it’s January 7th). It’s a bit confusing, but there’s no “First Sunday in Ordinary Time”

“For Catholics, ORDINARY TIME begins on the MONDAY after the first Sunday after January 6th, but traditionally we still have to celebrate the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, on Sundays, so we don't mark a Sunday in ORDINARY TIME until the following SUNDAY, which is then the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.” -Fr. David Jones

Little Christmas

Little Christmas, or Epiphany, celebrates the visitation of the Magi, wise men from the east who gave Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It’s celebrated on the 2nd Sunday after Christmas, this year it’s January 7th. Some countries keep it on January 6th and celebrate Christmas that day instead of December 25th.

Many American Christians, Catholic or not, keep their Christmas decorations up until January 6th or Epiphany Sunday. What’s a few more pine needles on the carpet anyway?

“They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Mt 2:10-11)

The Presentation at the Temple

Also known as Candlemas, the Presentation at the Temple is on February 2nd and many Catholics will traditionally keep their nativity displayed until this day, which is forty days after Christmas. (The nativity in St. Peter’s Square stays up that time.)

According to tradition (Lv 12:1-4), Mary went to the temple for purification forty days after Jesus was born to offer two turtledoves or pigeons.

Simeon, a holy man in the temple, declared, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Lk 2:29-32)

Many also have candles traditionally blessed on this day as it is a festival of light. This day also signifies an end, or near end, to winter. There’s more on Candlemas and how it relates to Groundhog Day here.

How to Keep Christmas Going

Christmas is not merely a date on the calendar; it’s a season and its purpose is more than presents and bows. When December 26th rolls around, there’s plenty you can do to keep the celebration of Jesus’s birth going.

Decorations

You can keep your lights on longer and all the decorations going. The tree may not survive to Candlemas if it’s real, but your nativity can stay out to remind you of the Lord’s light. You can also keep Christmas centerpieces up, or continue to display your Christmas cards.

Readings and Prayers

You can focus your prayers and Bible readings around Christ’s birth and hope of salvation. There are a few good prayers from Country Living here or from Crosswalk here. You can also read from the four Christmas Masses here.

Spirit of Christmas

Christ came to give Himself to us, and that marks the season of giving. But the season of giving shouldn’t stop. People are in need all year round. So, find a way to continue that Christmas spirit by carrying that spirit throughout the season and the whole year. From donations and soup kitchens to helping a neighbor, there’s so much you can do.

True Meaning

The deeper meaning of Christmas is making room for the Savior in your heart. Why would we want to cut that off after only a single day? The true meaning of Christmas is meant to live forever in our hearts and carry us through the whole year. Christ came to us so that we might have life within us. Let’s share that message in word and deed with others. Let’s find ways to keep the celebration of Christmas going through the whole season and the spirit of giving throughout the whole year.