The Institute for Christian Formation
The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
December 25, 2011
Click on image above to download our 4-page bulletin on the Christmas Season.
At sundown on December 24, Advent ends and we begin the Christmas Season. Christmas is an entire season, not just one day! And contrary to the shopping mall mentality, the Christmas Season is just beginning Christmas Day - not ending. The word Christmas means the Feast of Christ. The Christmas Season continues from sundown Christmas Eve (technically from Evening Prayer I of Christmas) through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
The primary liturgical color for the Christmas Season is white, which expresses joy and glory. Gold, which expresses honor and praise, is sometimes used in place of white.
The Christmas Season is full of wonderful feasts and rich traditions. The five major feasts of the Christmas Season include the Nativity of the Lord;
the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; Mary, the Holy Mother of God; the Epiphany of the Lord; and, the Baptism of the Lord.
So, as Catholic Christians, we know Christmas is more than a day; it's even more than the Twelve Days; it's an entire season of feasting, song and celebration! Let's keep the Christmas Season it's fullest!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a lovely on line Christmas interactive video, "The Christmas Story in Art." Visit their site and choose to hear the story, read the story, and/or send a Christmas E-Card.
 | ||||||
Make sure you sing Christmas carols and hymns each day of the Christmas Season. Why not sing a hymn, such as "Angels We Have Heard on High," as part of your Christmas dinner prayer? Click here to download the score below to use for your prayer.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
