Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Don’t throw out that tree tomorrow or even next week! For the Christmas Season is only now just beginning. The Feast of Christmas has its own liturgical octave, so that means for eight days we embrace the wonderful mystery of Christ’s nativity. Then the Christmas season continues for another week after that. In fact, in our history there was a tradition that the Christmas season would last 40 days taking us up until February 2.
Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, O Advent, O Antiphons Since last weekend, but especially since yesterday, December 17, the shift has happened from focusing on Christ’s Second Coming to now preparing to celebrate His First Coming. It is also at this time that in the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours there are particular antiphons (like the ones chanted after the opening hymn at our Masses) that call out yearningly the different titles of the coming Messiah. They are often called the “O” Antiphons. The human, “O Come, Emmanuel,” is based on these Antiphons, which is why it is most appropriate to sing during these seven days.
Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice! Depending on when December 25 falls determines how long Advent actually lasts (between three and four weeks). This year it is the full four weeks since Christmas falls on a Sunday - please note the Christmas weekend schedule. This means the Third Sunday of Advent is smack in the middle of the season. This is like the half-time break of a football game. It is a small oasis in the midst of the penitential season.