Posted on 12/27/2008 8:44:06 PM PST by Salvation
Christmastide and Epiphany |
During Christmastime, there are feasts of three martyrs: St. Stephen on December 26, who represents those who went to their death willingly; St. John the Evangelist on December 27, who represents those who were willing to die but were not put to death; and the Holy Innocents on December 28, representing those who were put to death without their choice, recalling the events surrounding the Birth of Christ.
On the Sunday between Christmas and January 1, the Church celebrates the Holy Family. This feast is especially important today as many families today face struggles and challenges in living their Faith.
Christmastide is the season of celebration after Christmas, a season of joy. During this period we celebrate events in the child life of Our Lord: the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Feast of the Holy Family, the Purification, etc. The length of this period is regulated by the position of Septuagesima Sunday, which may occur any time between January 16 and February 22.
The period after Christmas symbolizes the youth of Jesus, the years that intervened between His birth and the beginning of His public life. We call this His hidden life in Nazareth.
In our house, the ornaments come off the tree, the red skirt is replaced with green and the Angel on the top becomes a crown. The lights and gold bead garland stays.
We go from Christmas tree to Epiphany tree until Jan. 6th
That’s a wonderful idea.
Epiphany tree - how appropriate.
>>Epiphany tree - how appropriate.<<
Actually, it was my 11 year old’s idea. She wanted the tree up until Epiphany. I hate the work that has to be put into taking the thing down. She suggested we take everything off, put the crown on it and three “gifts” under. We can leave the nativity set out too. It’s Fisher Price and they still play with it.
we do not take the tree down until Jan 6th....the priest at my son’s church stated the same sentiment.
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