A Sunday Thought About the Last Day of Christmas
We keep our Christmas decorations up until the last day - that day being February 2nd. That day, which the secular world now calls "Ground Hog Day" is, as you know the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, and, finally, in the "old" calendar (pre-Vatican II), the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
What this all means is that, whether you typically follow the Novus Ordo liturgical calendar (post-Vatican II), or the (what is now commonly called) Extraordinary Form (pre-Vatican II) liturgical calendar, last Sunday was a big deal, indeed a major feast day. I hope you observed and enjoyed the day appropriately.
However you observe your calendar, one thing that hasn't changed with the post-Vatican II calendar is the tradition of observing Christmas until February 2nd. I was surprised when even our pastor - someone who isn't known for his attachment to the Extraordinary Form - referred to this tradition, as did one of our other priests, noting that in Europe, the tradition persists - yes, in secular, virtually pagan Europe - of keeping the Nativity scene up until February 2nd.
Well, wherever they keep the tradition, sign us up as enthusiastic members of this obviously dying club. Not only did our Nativity scene retain its place of honor, but our tree remained decorated (only possible when you use an artificial tree, of course), our lights remained up and lit, and something of the Christmas spirit lingered even as the neighborhood steadily went dark at night starting a few days after Christmas.
Consider keeping Christmas in this traditional manner. It's certainly a great balm for short, dark and cold winter days. And as with all traditions instituted by our Catholic Church it's got a practical side perfectly tuned to this vale of tears in which we live out our earthly existence: By the time February 2nd rolls around - even though it's still the dead of winter - you do indeed notice that the days have begun to grow longer. The early mornings brighten up earlier, and the sun doesn't run away before 5 PM anymore. It's as though our Holy Mother Church reassures us that it's OK to put out the Christmas lights now; it won't be so dark and gloomy. In fact spring is just around the corner. Indeed, the tradition of blessing candles on February 2nd is the source of the name "Candlemas." And those candles remind us not only of the growing physical light, but that our light is Christ, come into our dark world and now with us until the end of time.
So get with the tradition of keeping Christmas in some fashion until February 2nd. If for no other reason, you won't have to rely on some ground hog seeing or not seeing its shadow - the secular world's tawdry attempt to displace a centuries-old glorious tradition. At the very least, it's one way to remind ourselves of the richness of that tradition, even as our "post-Christian" world throws out the treasures left to us throughout centuries of loving care by a Mother - our Holy Catholic Church - who cares for us.
And so, bolstered by our extended Christmas, it's that much easier to face this cold world. Oh, and in case you've forgotten, it's less than 10 months until Advent comes to remind us to prepare for Christmas 2014. Then again, since it's still kind of cold, and spring really is more than a month away, Christmas lover that I am, there's no good reason not to give ourselves a little shot in the arm with one of the cheeriest secular Christmas ditties I know...
What this all means is that, whether you typically follow the Novus Ordo liturgical calendar (post-Vatican II), or the (what is now commonly called) Extraordinary Form (pre-Vatican II) liturgical calendar, last Sunday was a big deal, indeed a major feast day. I hope you observed and enjoyed the day appropriately.
However you observe your calendar, one thing that hasn't changed with the post-Vatican II calendar is the tradition of observing Christmas until February 2nd. I was surprised when even our pastor - someone who isn't known for his attachment to the Extraordinary Form - referred to this tradition, as did one of our other priests, noting that in Europe, the tradition persists - yes, in secular, virtually pagan Europe - of keeping the Nativity scene up until February 2nd.
Well, wherever they keep the tradition, sign us up as enthusiastic members of this obviously dying club. Not only did our Nativity scene retain its place of honor, but our tree remained decorated (only possible when you use an artificial tree, of course), our lights remained up and lit, and something of the Christmas spirit lingered even as the neighborhood steadily went dark at night starting a few days after Christmas.
Consider keeping Christmas in this traditional manner. It's certainly a great balm for short, dark and cold winter days. And as with all traditions instituted by our Catholic Church it's got a practical side perfectly tuned to this vale of tears in which we live out our earthly existence: By the time February 2nd rolls around - even though it's still the dead of winter - you do indeed notice that the days have begun to grow longer. The early mornings brighten up earlier, and the sun doesn't run away before 5 PM anymore. It's as though our Holy Mother Church reassures us that it's OK to put out the Christmas lights now; it won't be so dark and gloomy. In fact spring is just around the corner. Indeed, the tradition of blessing candles on February 2nd is the source of the name "Candlemas." And those candles remind us not only of the growing physical light, but that our light is Christ, come into our dark world and now with us until the end of time.
So get with the tradition of keeping Christmas in some fashion until February 2nd. If for no other reason, you won't have to rely on some ground hog seeing or not seeing its shadow - the secular world's tawdry attempt to displace a centuries-old glorious tradition. At the very least, it's one way to remind ourselves of the richness of that tradition, even as our "post-Christian" world throws out the treasures left to us throughout centuries of loving care by a Mother - our Holy Catholic Church - who cares for us.
And so, bolstered by our extended Christmas, it's that much easier to face this cold world. Oh, and in case you've forgotten, it's less than 10 months until Advent comes to remind us to prepare for Christmas 2014. Then again, since it's still kind of cold, and spring really is more than a month away, Christmas lover that I am, there's no good reason not to give ourselves a little shot in the arm with one of the cheeriest secular Christmas ditties I know...
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