The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

For the world, Christmas ended five days ago. It stopped 24 hours after it started.

 

The tree is coming down. Christmas decorations and cards are being put away. The world is no longer focused on Santa Claus and the sweet manger scenes with the baby, but thinking about the next celebration of New Years Eve with its parties and excess of alcohol and food. Work has begun again for most and it is back to the races.

 

But as Catholics we continue to celebrate Christmas for 12 days with the liturgical season ending on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. But many Catholics won’t be taking decorations down until 40 days have gone by. Candelmas or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. February 2^nd. It is an older tradition to do so.

 

Christmas for all Catholics is not one day but a Season, like Advent and Lent and Easter. So, if you visit a Catholic home in February you may still see Christmas trees and decorations.

 

Today’s Gospel was taken as part of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. It portrays Anna a faith filled widow and how quietly she lives a life devoted to prayer and fasting. A life probably unnoticed by most other visitors to the temple but a woman who is making a difference in the world.

 

Anna reminds us that living a life of faith and devotion to God, even a quiet one, changes the world for the life is lived in solidarity with the church and God. A life of devotion is like a stone thrown into a pool of water, the ripples can be felt across the entire pond. Our prayers and fasting and striving to live holy lives is like that stone. We may never see the impact it makes, but it does. For we are all called to be a light for Christ in this world. Even if it is only seen in our small part of the world.

 

As we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ, and as the world returns to the usual pace of work and activities, we continue to celebrate, remember, pray, and observe – the holiness still present in our lives and reflected in the Christmas trees and decorations.

 

Merry Christmas!