Christmas season - Revision history

Mxmsj at 04:21, 12 January 2025

2025-01-12T04:21:44Z

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	[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]		[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]
	For Roman Catholics, "the liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us."<ref>[https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, "Liturgical Year / Christmas."]</ref>		For Roman Catholics, "the liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us."<ref>[https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, "Liturgical Year / Christmas."]</ref> Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.
	~~the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]].~~ Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

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Mxmsj at 04:21, 12 January 2025

2025-01-12T04:21:00Z

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	[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]		[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]
	For Roman Catholics, the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.		For Roman Catholics, "the liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us."<ref>[https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, "Liturgical Year / Christmas."]</ref>
			the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

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Mxmsj: /* The Twelve Days of Christmas */

2024-01-02T08:39:02Z

The Twelve Days of Christmas

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	\|align="right"\| '''8'''		\|align="right"\| '''8'''
	\|Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God<br>		\|Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God<br>
	Formerly the "Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus" and the ''Octave'' of Christmas.		Formerly the "Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus" and the '''''Octave''''' of Christmas.

	The fact that this is the ''octave'' shows that the numbering of the twelve days begins on Christmas itself, which suggests to me that Epiphany is not one of the days of Christmas but is a special feast in its own right.		The fact that this is the ''octave'' shows that the numbering of the twelve days begins on Christmas itself, which suggests to me that Epiphany is not one of the days of Christmas but is a special feast in its own right.

Mxmsj: /* The Twelve Days of Christmas */

2024-01-02T08:38:30Z

The Twelve Days of Christmas

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	\|-		\|-
	\| 1 January		\| 1 January
	\|align="right"\| 8		\|align="right"\| '''8'''
	\|Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God<br>		\|Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God<br>
	Formerly the "Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus" and the Octave of Christmas.		Formerly the "Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus" and the ''Octave'' of Christmas.

			The fact that this is the ''octave'' shows that the numbering of the twelve days begins on Christmas itself, which suggests to me that Epiphany is not one of the days of Christmas but is a special feast in its own right.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 2		\| 2
	\|align="right"\| 9		\|align="right"\| 9
	\|Sts. Basil and Gregory, Bishops and Doctors		\|Sts. Basil and Gregory, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
	\|-		\|-
	\| 3		\| 3
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	</div>		</div>

	Some people may start the count on December 26 and see January 6 as the Twelfth Day.		Some people may start the count on December 26 and see January 6 as the Twelfth Day, but as noted above, the Church counts January 1 as the ''octave'' of Christmas.

	* [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp Snopes: "The Twelve Days of Christmas."] Snopes says that the legend of encoding the catechism in the song is false. Others disagree. Such is life! The first English version of the song, possibly derived from a French original, appeared in 1780. The allegation that it was a Jesuit code intended to confound English persecutors dates to the 1990s.		* [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp Snopes: "The Twelve Days of Christmas."] Snopes says that the legend of encoding the catechism in the song is false. Others disagree. Such is life! The first English version of the song, possibly derived from a French original, appeared in 1780. The allegation that it was a Jesuit code intended to confound English persecutors dates to the 1990s.

Mxmsj: /* Days of the Catholic Christmas Season */

2023-10-05T11:00:12Z

Days of the Catholic Christmas Season

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	The number of days in the Christmas Season in the United States varies because the Feast of the Epiphany has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. When the solemnity of the Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday that occurs on January 7 or 8, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday; otherwise, it falls on the next Sunday after the Feast of the Epiphany.		The number of days in the Christmas Season in the United States varies because the Feast of the Epiphany has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. When the solemnity of the Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday that occurs on January 7 or 8, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday; otherwise, it falls on the next Sunday after the Feast of the Epiphany.

	By my count, that gives us a range of 15 to 20 Days of Christmas.		By my count, that gives us a range of 15 to 20 Days of Christmas in the United States.

			When Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, the Christmas season ends on the next Sunday, which leads to a range of 14 to 20 days.

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	:; [http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dating-of-christmas.html "The Dating of Christmas:"]		:; [http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dating-of-christmas.html "The Dating of Christmas:"]

	:: Earlier, Ratzinger shows that the African ecclesiastical author Tertullian (c. 150 ~~â€“~~ c. 207) discussed a well-known tradition that Christ suffered death on March 25, a day that was cosmically associated with the creation of the world. March 25 was taken as the spring equinox (which we now know to be off by a few days), and hence the date after which light definitively conquers darkness. March 25 would be fully appropriate for not only the day of Creation, but also the day of the New Creation (the Incarnation or Annunciation) as well as Christ's Passion. It is by this historical development, and not that of the Mithras myth, that “the feast of Christ's birth on December 25 ~~â€“~~ nine months after March 25 ~~â€“~~ developed in the West in the course of the third century” [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0898707846?tag=romlocest-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0898707846&adid=0FMAMA1R2QPVCCCKHTF9& (Ratzinger, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,'' 107).]		:: Earlier, Ratzinger shows that the African ecclesiastical author Tertullian (c. 150 - c. 207) discussed a well-known tradition that Christ suffered death on March 25, a day that was cosmically associated with the creation of the world. March 25 was taken as the spring equinox (which we now know to be off by a few days), and hence the date after which light definitively conquers darkness. March 25 would be fully appropriate for not only the day of Creation, but also the day of the New Creation (the Incarnation or Annunciation) as well as Christ's Passion. It is by this historical development, and not that of the Mithras myth, that “the feast of Christ's birth on December 25 - nine months after March 25 - developed in the West in the course of the third century” [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0898707846?tag=romlocest-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0898707846&adid=0FMAMA1R2QPVCCCKHTF9& (Ratzinger, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,'' 107).]

	:: Finally, the Cardinal discusses another important cosmic event, the summer solstice. “Between the two dates of March 25 and December 25 comes the feast of the Forerunner, St. John the Baptist, on June 24, at the time of the summer solstice. The link between the dates can now be seen as a liturgical and cosmic expression of the Baptist's words: ‘He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease' (Jn 3:30). The birthday of St. John the Baptist takes place on the date when the days begin to shorten, just as the birthday of Christ takes place when they begin to lengthen” (Ratzinger, 109).		:: Finally, the Cardinal discusses another important cosmic event, the summer solstice. “Between the two dates of March 25 and December 25 comes the feast of the Forerunner, St. John the Baptist, on June 24, at the time of the summer solstice. The link between the dates can now be seen as a liturgical and cosmic expression of the Baptist's words: ‘He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease' (Jn 3:30). The birthday of St. John the Baptist takes place on the date when the days begin to shorten, just as the birthday of Christ takes place when they begin to lengthen” (Ratzinger, 109).
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	:; [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/12/17/old-calendarists-in-appalachia/ Tristyn Bloom, "First Thoughts."]		:; [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/12/17/old-calendarists-in-appalachia/ Tristyn Bloom, "First Thoughts."]

	:: As a Russian Orthodox monastery which observes the Julian, or “old”, calendar, we were surprised to learn about Appalachian “Old Christmas”, which is a most solemn and reverent time for families living in the mountains. The initial change-over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar by the British Empire and the American colonies in 1752 caused a difference of eleven days. Thus, the date of “new” Christmas on December 25th was eleven days ahead of “old” Christmas, which fell (at that time) on January 5th. Some Protestants refused to honor the new calendar because it was decreed by the Pope, so their celebration of Christmas remained on the Julian calendar ~~â€“~~ which now falls on January 7. In the Appalachian Mountains, the celebration of Old Christmas remained until about World War I. Though they might also observe ‘new' Christmas on December 25th, the festivities were very different. December 25th was marked with revelry and parties and visiting, but January 6th was primarily a reverent family observance.		:: As a Russian Orthodox monastery which observes the Julian, or “old”, calendar, we were surprised to learn about Appalachian “Old Christmas”, which is a most solemn and reverent time for families living in the mountains. The initial change-over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar by the British Empire and the American colonies in 1752 caused a difference of eleven days. Thus, the date of “new” Christmas on December 25th was eleven days ahead of “old” Christmas, which fell (at that time) on January 5th. Some Protestants refused to honor the new calendar because it was decreed by the Pope, so their celebration of Christmas remained on the Julian calendar - which now falls on January 7. In the Appalachian Mountains, the celebration of Old Christmas remained until about World War I. Though they might also observe ‘new' Christmas on December 25th, the festivities were very different. December 25th was marked with revelry and parties and visiting, but January 6th was primarily a reverent family observance.

	==== In tabular form ====		==== In tabular form ====
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	:: Since this idea worked so well, it became a popular prop for local churches, and the idea spread, until this version of the Tree of Good and Evil was the commonly accepted prop whenever the play was performed. Soon, churches everywhere had adopted this tradition and included it in their celebration each year.		:: Since this idea worked so well, it became a popular prop for local churches, and the idea spread, until this version of the Tree of Good and Evil was the commonly accepted prop whenever the play was performed. Soon, churches everywhere had adopted this tradition and included it in their celebration each year.

	:: The Paradise Tree was so popular in Germany, that private citizens began to erect pine trees in their homes during the holiday, decorating them with red apples, as the church folks had done for their Miracle Play. Before long, the tradition was so widespread, that the modern-day Christmas tree tradition was born, and the official colors of the Christmas season became green and red ~~â€“~~ green for the pine tree and red for the apples ~~â€“~~ the combination of which represented the Paradise Tree, which made its debut in the 14th century.		:: The Paradise Tree was so popular in Germany, that private citizens began to erect pine trees in their homes during the holiday, decorating them with red apples, as the church folks had done for their Miracle Play. Before long, the tradition was so widespread, that the modern-day Christmas tree tradition was born, and the official colors of the Christmas season became green and red - green for the pine tree and red for the apples - the combination of which represented the Paradise Tree, which made its debut in the 14th century.

	:: Eventually, the Paradise Tree was also decorated with small white wafers ~~â€“~~ symbolizing the Holy Eucharist ~~â€“~~ to remind people that, while Adam and Eve were responsible for the fall of mankind, the birth of the Christ Child would ~~â€“~~ in effect ~~â€“~~ reverse the final result of the fall through the eventual suffering and death of Jesus.		:: Eventually, the Paradise Tree was also decorated with small white wafers - symbolizing the Holy Eucharist - to remind people that, while Adam and Eve were responsible for the fall of mankind, the birth of the Christ Child would - in effect - reverse the final result of the fall through the eventual suffering and death of Jesus.

	== References ==		== References ==

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	* ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_Natalis_Solis_Invicti Dies Natalis Solis Invicti:]'' Roman feast of ''Sol Invictus'', "The Unconquerable Sun." The pun on "Sun/Son" does not exist in Latin, where the two words are "filius" and "sol."		* ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_Natalis_Solis_Invicti Dies Natalis Solis Invicti:]'' Roman feast of ''Sol Invictus'', "The Unconquerable Sun." The pun on "Sun/Son" does not exist in Latin, where the two words are "filius" and "sol."
	* Saturnalia.		* Saturnalia.
	* March 25 — >December 25.		* March 25 -->December 25.
	* " December 25 was the date of the winter solstice in ancient times (before subsequent drift due to chronological errors in the Julian calendar eventually left the solstice on its present date of December 21.) As such, many pagan winter holidays occurred on this date, which marks the shortest day of the year and the point where the days become longer again. Many customs from these holidays, particularly from the pagan Scandinavian and Germanic celebration of Yule in northern Europe, are transparently present in later Christmas customs, suggesting that the date was appropriated directly from pagan customs and given a Christian veneer rather than being the true birthday of Jesus."<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy#Pre-Christianity ''Wikipedia,'' "Christmas controversy."]</ref>		* " December 25 was the date of the winter solstice in ancient times (before subsequent drift due to chronological errors in the Julian calendar eventually left the solstice on its present date of December 21.) As such, many pagan winter holidays occurred on this date, which marks the shortest day of the year and the point where the days become longer again. Many customs from these holidays, particularly from the pagan Scandinavian and Germanic celebration of Yule in northern Europe, are transparently present in later Christmas customs, suggesting that the date was appropriated directly from pagan customs and given a Christian veneer rather than being the true birthday of Jesus."<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy#Pre-Christianity ''Wikipedia,'' "Christmas controversy."]</ref>

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	: The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch it is Kerstmis, in Latin Dies Natalis, whence comes the French NoÃ«l, and Italian Il natale; in German Weihnachtsfest, from the preceeding sacred vigil. The term Yule is of disputed origin. It is unconnected with any word meaning "wheel". The name in Anglo-Saxon was geol, feast: geola, the name of a month (cf. Icelandic iol a feast in December).		: The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch it is Kerstmis, in Latin Dies Natalis, whence comes the French NoÃ«l, and Italian Il natale; in German Weihnachtsfest, from the preceeding sacred vigil. The term Yule is of disputed origin. It is unconnected with any word meaning "wheel". The name in Anglo-Saxon was geol, feast: geola, the name of a month (cf. Icelandic iol a feast in December).

	; [http://www.wordnik.com/words/mass ''Wordnik,'' "Mass--Definition and Meaning."]		; [http://www.wordnik.com/words/mass ''Wordnik,'' "Mass — Definition and Meaning."]

	: Other English words formed the same way:		: Other English words formed the same way:
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	\| <span style="display:none">05</span>1 Aug		\| <span style="display:none">05</span>1 Aug
	\| [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lammas Lammas]		\| [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lammas Lammas]
	\| Loaf-Mass Day--festival of the wheat harvest.		\| Loaf-Mass Day — festival of the wheat harvest.
	\|-		\|-
	\|<span style="display:none">06</span>4 Aug		\|<span style="display:none">06</span>4 Aug
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	=== Roman solar connection ===		=== Roman solar connection ===
	* It seems that the birth of Jesus was not celebrated as a separate feast until the 4th century or so. The East has preserved an earlier tradition linking the birthday of Jesus with the [[Baptism of the Lord]] (Theophany, January 6--see [[Epiphany]]).		* It seems that the birth of Jesus was not celebrated as a separate feast until the 4th century or so. The East has preserved an earlier tradition linking the birthday of Jesus with the [[Baptism of the Lord]] (Theophany, January 6 — see [[Epiphany]]).
	* ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_Natalis_Solis_Invicti Dies Natalis Solis Invicti:]'' Roman feast of ''Sol Invictus'', "The Unconquerable Sun." The pun on "Sun/Son" does not exist in Latin, where the two words are "filius" and "sol."		* ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_Natalis_Solis_Invicti Dies Natalis Solis Invicti:]'' Roman feast of ''Sol Invictus'', "The Unconquerable Sun." The pun on "Sun/Son" does not exist in Latin, where the two words are "filius" and "sol."
	* Saturnalia.		* Saturnalia.
	* March 25-->December 25.		* March 25 — >December 25.
	* " December 25 was the date of the winter solstice in ancient times (before subsequent drift due to chronological errors in the Julian calendar eventually left the solstice on its present date of December 21.) As such, many pagan winter holidays occurred on this date, which marks the shortest day of the year and the point where the days become longer again. Many customs from these holidays, particularly from the pagan Scandinavian and Germanic celebration of Yule in northern Europe, are transparently present in later Christmas customs, suggesting that the date was appropriated directly from pagan customs and given a Christian veneer rather than being the true birthday of Jesus."<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy#Pre-Christianity ''Wikipedia,'' "Christmas controversy."]</ref>		* " December 25 was the date of the winter solstice in ancient times (before subsequent drift due to chronological errors in the Julian calendar eventually left the solstice on its present date of December 21.) As such, many pagan winter holidays occurred on this date, which marks the shortest day of the year and the point where the days become longer again. Many customs from these holidays, particularly from the pagan Scandinavian and Germanic celebration of Yule in northern Europe, are transparently present in later Christmas customs, suggesting that the date was appropriated directly from pagan customs and given a Christian veneer rather than being the true birthday of Jesus."<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy#Pre-Christianity ''Wikipedia,'' "Christmas controversy."]</ref>

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	\|December 25		\|December 25
	\|-		\|-
	\|[[Epiphany]]--Visit of the Magi		\|[[Epiphany]] — Visit of the Magi
	\|January 6		\|January 6
	\|(Combined with Nativity)		\|(Combined with Nativity)
	\|(Combined with Nativity)		\|(Combined with Nativity)
	\|-		\|-
	\|Theophany--[[Baptism of the Lord]]		\|Theophany — [[Baptism of the Lord]]
	\|January 6		\|January 6
	\|January 19		\|January 19
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	* "Xmas" is the classical abbreviation for "Christmas." The X is a Greek chi and stands for "Xristos."		* "Xmas" is the classical abbreviation for "Christmas." The X is a Greek chi and stands for "Xristos."
	* "-mas" means "Mass."		* "-mas" means "Mass."
	:::- Therefore, "Xmas" means "Christ's Mass"--for those who have eyes to see!		:::- Therefore, "Xmas" means "Christ's Mass" — for those who have eyes to see!
	* "Holiday" is derived from "holy day."		* "Holiday" is derived from "holy day."
	* "Season's Greetings" is shorthand for "I wish you all of the greetings proper to this season." While it is open to many different seasons and festivities (Hannakuh, Ramadan, when it is in December or January, Kwanzaa, New Year's), at the very least it must contain the sense of "Merry Christmas" along with all the others.		* "Season's Greetings" is shorthand for "I wish you all of the greetings proper to this season." While it is open to many different seasons and festivities (Hannakuh, Ramadan, when it is in December or January, Kwanzaa, New Year's), at the very least it must contain the sense of "Merry Christmas" along with all the others.

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← Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 10 December 2022
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	:; [http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dating-of-christmas.html "The Dating of Christmas:"]		:; [http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dating-of-christmas.html "The Dating of Christmas:"]

	:: Earlier, Ratzinger shows that the African ecclesiastical author Tertullian (c. 150 â€“ c. 207) discussed a well-known tradition that Christ suffered death on March 25, a day that was cosmically associated with the creation of the world. March 25 was taken as the spring equinox (which we now know to be off by a few days), and hence the date after which light definitively conquers darkness. March 25 would be fully appropriate for not only the day of Creation, but also the day of the New Creation (the Incarnation or Annunciation) as well as ~~Christâ€™s~~ Passion. It is by this historical development, and not that of the Mithras myth, that â€œthe feast of ~~Christâ€™s~~ birth on December 25 â€“ nine months after March 25 â€“ developed in the West in the course of the third century” [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0898707846?tag=romlocest-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0898707846&adid=0FMAMA1R2QPVCCCKHTF9& (Ratzinger, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,'' 107).]		:: Earlier, Ratzinger shows that the African ecclesiastical author Tertullian (c. 150 â€“ c. 207) discussed a well-known tradition that Christ suffered death on March 25, a day that was cosmically associated with the creation of the world. March 25 was taken as the spring equinox (which we now know to be off by a few days), and hence the date after which light definitively conquers darkness. March 25 would be fully appropriate for not only the day of Creation, but also the day of the New Creation (the Incarnation or Annunciation) as well as Christ's Passion. It is by this historical development, and not that of the Mithras myth, that â€œthe feast of Christ's birth on December 25 â€“ nine months after March 25 â€“ developed in the West in the course of the third century” [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0898707846?tag=romlocest-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0898707846&adid=0FMAMA1R2QPVCCCKHTF9& (Ratzinger, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,'' 107).]

	:: Finally, the Cardinal discusses another important cosmic event, the summer solstice. â€œBetween the two dates of March 25 and December 25 comes the feast of the Forerunner, St. John the Baptist, on June 24, at the time of the summer solstice. The link between the dates can now be seen as a liturgical and cosmic expression of the ~~Baptistâ€™s~~ words: ‘He [Christ] must increase, but I must ~~decreaseâ€™~~ (Jn 3:30). The birthday of St. John the Baptist takes place on the date when the days begin to shorten, just as the birthday of Christ takes place when they begin to lengthen” (Ratzinger, 109).		:: Finally, the Cardinal discusses another important cosmic event, the summer solstice. â€œBetween the two dates of March 25 and December 25 comes the feast of the Forerunner, St. John the Baptist, on June 24, at the time of the summer solstice. The link between the dates can now be seen as a liturgical and cosmic expression of the Baptist's words: ‘He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease' (Jn 3:30). The birthday of St. John the Baptist takes place on the date when the days begin to shorten, just as the birthday of Christ takes place when they begin to lengthen” (Ratzinger, 109).

	::: ''Note the unavoidable bias in favor of the Northern Hemisphere. At the time when the coincidence between the birth of John the Baptist with the summer solstice and the coincidence between the birth of Jesus at the winter solstice was noted, the authors were (apparently) unaware that these solstices are opposite in effect in the Southern Hemisphere. For the South, the birth of John the Baptist takes place at their winter solstice and the birth of Jesus takes place at their summer solstice. This, I suppose, is all part of the scandal of the Incarnation: God the Son takes on a complete and perfect human nature in a particular place and time in history, not everywhere all at once. The traditional meditations on the cosmic significance of the time of His Incarnation and birth have to be done from the standpoint of His location; others who experience the cosmos differently must make allowances for the differences introduced in their experience by the difference in their location in time and space.''		::: ''Note the unavoidable bias in favor of the Northern Hemisphere. At the time when the coincidence between the birth of John the Baptist with the summer solstice and the coincidence between the birth of Jesus at the winter solstice was noted, the authors were (apparently) unaware that these solstices are opposite in effect in the Southern Hemisphere. For the South, the birth of John the Baptist takes place at their winter solstice and the birth of Jesus takes place at their summer solstice. This, I suppose, is all part of the scandal of the Incarnation: God the Son takes on a complete and perfect human nature in a particular place and time in history, not everywhere all at once. The traditional meditations on the cosmic significance of the time of His Incarnation and birth have to be done from the standpoint of His location; others who experience the cosmos differently must make allowances for the differences introduced in their experience by the difference in their location in time and space.''
Line 586:		Line 586:
	:; [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/12/17/old-calendarists-in-appalachia/ Tristyn Bloom, "First Thoughts."]		:; [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/12/17/old-calendarists-in-appalachia/ Tristyn Bloom, "First Thoughts."]

	:: As a Russian Orthodox monastery which observes the Julian, or â€œold”, calendar, we were surprised to learn about Appalachian â€œOld Christmas”, which is a most solemn and reverent time for families living in the mountains. The initial change-over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar by the British Empire and the American colonies in 1752 caused a difference of eleven days. Thus, the date of â€œnew” Christmas on December 25th was eleven days ahead of â€œold” Christmas, which fell (at that time) on January 5th. Some Protestants refused to honor the new calendar because it was decreed by the Pope, so their celebration of Christmas remained on the Julian calendar â€“ which now falls on January 7. In the Appalachian Mountains, the celebration of Old Christmas remained until about World War I. Though they might also observe ~~‘newâ€™~~ Christmas on December 25th, the festivities were very different. December 25th was marked with revelry and parties and visiting, but January 6th was primarily a reverent family observance.		:: As a Russian Orthodox monastery which observes the Julian, or â€œold”, calendar, we were surprised to learn about Appalachian â€œOld Christmas”, which is a most solemn and reverent time for families living in the mountains. The initial change-over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar by the British Empire and the American colonies in 1752 caused a difference of eleven days. Thus, the date of â€œnew” Christmas on December 25th was eleven days ahead of â€œold” Christmas, which fell (at that time) on January 5th. Some Protestants refused to honor the new calendar because it was decreed by the Pope, so their celebration of Christmas remained on the Julian calendar â€“ which now falls on January 7. In the Appalachian Mountains, the celebration of Old Christmas remained until about World War I. Though they might also observe ‘new' Christmas on December 25th, the festivities were very different. December 25th was marked with revelry and parties and visiting, but January 6th was primarily a reverent family observance.

	==== In tabular form ====		==== In tabular form ====
Line 702:		Line 702:
	:; [http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/holly1.htm "Why do we decorate with holly at Christmas?"]		:; [http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/holly1.htm "Why do we decorate with holly at Christmas?"]

	:: [Early Christian calendars mark Christmas Eve as templa exornatur, meaning â€œchurches are decked,” though supposedly Saturnalia celebrators ~~didnâ€™t~~ allow some Christians to hang boughs in honor of Christmas. Christians adopted the holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, and its symbolism changed to reflect Christian beliefs.		:: [Early Christian calendars mark Christmas Eve as templa exornatur, meaning â€œchurches are decked,” though supposedly Saturnalia celebrators didn't allow some Christians to hang boughs in honor of Christmas. Christians adopted the holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, and its symbolism changed to reflect Christian beliefs.

	:: Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.		:: Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:21, 12 January 2025
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	[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]		[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]
	For Roman Catholics, "the liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us."<ref>[https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, "Liturgical Year / Christmas."]</ref>		For Roman Catholics, "the liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us."<ref>[https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, "Liturgical Year / Christmas."]</ref> Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.
	~~the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]].~~ Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

	{\| {{Prettytable}}		{\| {{Prettytable}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:21, 12 January 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]		[[File:Liturgical year.svg\|thumb\|400px]]
	For Roman Catholics, the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.		For Roman Catholics, "the liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us."<ref>[https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, "Liturgical Year / Christmas."]</ref>
			the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]]. Other traditions end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany [[#The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas\|(Twelfth Day of Christmas)]] or, in earlier times, on the [[#The_Candle_Mass_.28Candelmas.29\|Feast of the Purification (Candlemas)]] on 2 February, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

	{\| {{Prettytable}}		{\| {{Prettytable}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 10 December 2022
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	:; Reasoning from the birth of John the Baptist (end of June)		:; Reasoning from the birth of John the Baptist (end of June)

	:: Saint Luke reports that Zacharias served in the ~~â€œcourse~~ of Abias” (Lk 1:5) which Scripture records as the eighth course among the twenty-four priestly courses (see Neh 12:17). Each course served one week in the temple for two times each year. The course of Abias served during the tenth week and the thirty-fourth week after the Passover.*		:: Saint Luke reports that Zacharias served in the “course of Abias” (Lk 1:5) which Scripture records as the eighth course among the twenty-four priestly courses (see Neh 12:17). Each course served one week in the temple for two times each year. The course of Abias served during the tenth week and the thirty-fourth week after the Passover.*

	:: The thirty-fourth week after Passover would place Zacharias at the temple during the Day of Atonement (dated to the end of September). This entails that Saint John the Baptist would have been conceived toward the end of September, placing John's birth at the end of June, confirming the Catholic Church's celebration of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist on June 24.		:: The thirty-fourth week after Passover would place Zacharias at the temple during the Day of Atonement (dated to the end of September). This entails that Saint John the Baptist would have been conceived toward the end of September, placing John's birth at the end of June, confirming the Catholic Church's celebration of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist on June 24.
Line 552:		Line 552:
	:; [http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dating-of-christmas.html "The Dating of Christmas:"]		:; [http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dating-of-christmas.html "The Dating of Christmas:"]

	:: Earlier, Ratzinger shows that the African ecclesiastical author Tertullian (c. 150 â€“ c. 207) discussed a well-known tradition that Christ suffered death on March 25, a day that was cosmically associated with the creation of the world. March 25 was taken as the spring equinox (which we now know to be off by a few days), and hence the date after which light definitively conquers darkness. March 25 would be fully appropriate for not only the day of Creation, but also the day of the New Creation (the Incarnation or Annunciation) as well as Christ's Passion. It is by this historical development, and not that of the Mithras myth, that ~~â€œthe~~ feast of Christ's birth on December 25 â€“ nine months after March 25 â€“ developed in the West in the course of the third century” [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0898707846?tag=romlocest-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0898707846&adid=0FMAMA1R2QPVCCCKHTF9& (Ratzinger, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,'' 107).]		:: Earlier, Ratzinger shows that the African ecclesiastical author Tertullian (c. 150 â€“ c. 207) discussed a well-known tradition that Christ suffered death on March 25, a day that was cosmically associated with the creation of the world. March 25 was taken as the spring equinox (which we now know to be off by a few days), and hence the date after which light definitively conquers darkness. March 25 would be fully appropriate for not only the day of Creation, but also the day of the New Creation (the Incarnation or Annunciation) as well as Christ's Passion. It is by this historical development, and not that of the Mithras myth, that “the feast of Christ's birth on December 25 â€“ nine months after March 25 â€“ developed in the West in the course of the third century” [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0898707846?tag=romlocest-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0898707846&adid=0FMAMA1R2QPVCCCKHTF9& (Ratzinger, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,'' 107).]

	:: Finally, the Cardinal discusses another important cosmic event, the summer solstice. ~~â€œBetween~~ the two dates of March 25 and December 25 comes the feast of the Forerunner, St. John the Baptist, on June 24, at the time of the summer solstice. The link between the dates can now be seen as a liturgical and cosmic expression of the Baptist's words: ‘He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease' (Jn 3:30). The birthday of St. John the Baptist takes place on the date when the days begin to shorten, just as the birthday of Christ takes place when they begin to lengthen” (Ratzinger, 109).		:: Finally, the Cardinal discusses another important cosmic event, the summer solstice. “Between the two dates of March 25 and December 25 comes the feast of the Forerunner, St. John the Baptist, on June 24, at the time of the summer solstice. The link between the dates can now be seen as a liturgical and cosmic expression of the Baptist's words: ‘He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease' (Jn 3:30). The birthday of St. John the Baptist takes place on the date when the days begin to shorten, just as the birthday of Christ takes place when they begin to lengthen” (Ratzinger, 109).

	::: ''Note the unavoidable bias in favor of the Northern Hemisphere. At the time when the coincidence between the birth of John the Baptist with the summer solstice and the coincidence between the birth of Jesus at the winter solstice was noted, the authors were (apparently) unaware that these solstices are opposite in effect in the Southern Hemisphere. For the South, the birth of John the Baptist takes place at their winter solstice and the birth of Jesus takes place at their summer solstice. This, I suppose, is all part of the scandal of the Incarnation: God the Son takes on a complete and perfect human nature in a particular place and time in history, not everywhere all at once. The traditional meditations on the cosmic significance of the time of His Incarnation and birth have to be done from the standpoint of His location; others who experience the cosmos differently must make allowances for the differences introduced in their experience by the difference in their location in time and space.''		::: ''Note the unavoidable bias in favor of the Northern Hemisphere. At the time when the coincidence between the birth of John the Baptist with the summer solstice and the coincidence between the birth of Jesus at the winter solstice was noted, the authors were (apparently) unaware that these solstices are opposite in effect in the Southern Hemisphere. For the South, the birth of John the Baptist takes place at their winter solstice and the birth of Jesus takes place at their summer solstice. This, I suppose, is all part of the scandal of the Incarnation: God the Son takes on a complete and perfect human nature in a particular place and time in history, not everywhere all at once. The traditional meditations on the cosmic significance of the time of His Incarnation and birth have to be done from the standpoint of His location; others who experience the cosmos differently must make allowances for the differences introduced in their experience by the difference in their location in time and space.''
Line 586:		Line 586:
	:; [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/12/17/old-calendarists-in-appalachia/ Tristyn Bloom, "First Thoughts."]		:; [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/12/17/old-calendarists-in-appalachia/ Tristyn Bloom, "First Thoughts."]

	:: As a Russian Orthodox monastery which observes the Julian, or ~~â€œold”~~, calendar, we were surprised to learn about Appalachian ~~â€œOld~~ Christmas”, which is a most solemn and reverent time for families living in the mountains. The initial change-over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar by the British Empire and the American colonies in 1752 caused a difference of eleven days. Thus, the date of ~~â€œnew”~~ Christmas on December 25th was eleven days ahead of ~~â€œold”~~ Christmas, which fell (at that time) on January 5th. Some Protestants refused to honor the new calendar because it was decreed by the Pope, so their celebration of Christmas remained on the Julian calendar â€“ which now falls on January 7. In the Appalachian Mountains, the celebration of Old Christmas remained until about World War I. Though they might also observe ‘new' Christmas on December 25th, the festivities were very different. December 25th was marked with revelry and parties and visiting, but January 6th was primarily a reverent family observance.		:: As a Russian Orthodox monastery which observes the Julian, or “old”, calendar, we were surprised to learn about Appalachian “Old Christmas”, which is a most solemn and reverent time for families living in the mountains. The initial change-over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar by the British Empire and the American colonies in 1752 caused a difference of eleven days. Thus, the date of “new” Christmas on December 25th was eleven days ahead of “old” Christmas, which fell (at that time) on January 5th. Some Protestants refused to honor the new calendar because it was decreed by the Pope, so their celebration of Christmas remained on the Julian calendar â€“ which now falls on January 7. In the Appalachian Mountains, the celebration of Old Christmas remained until about World War I. Though they might also observe ‘new' Christmas on December 25th, the festivities were very different. December 25th was marked with revelry and parties and visiting, but January 6th was primarily a reverent family observance.

	==== In tabular form ====		==== In tabular form ====
Line 702:		Line 702:
	:; [http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/holly1.htm "Why do we decorate with holly at Christmas?"]		:; [http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/holly1.htm "Why do we decorate with holly at Christmas?"]

	:: [Early Christian calendars mark Christmas Eve as templa exornatur, meaning ~~â€œchurches~~ are decked,” though supposedly Saturnalia celebrators didn't allow some Christians to hang boughs in honor of Christmas. Christians adopted the holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, and its symbolism changed to reflect Christian beliefs.		:: [Early Christian calendars mark Christmas Eve as templa exornatur, meaning “churches are decked,” though supposedly Saturnalia celebrators didn't allow some Christians to hang boughs in honor of Christmas. Christians adopted the holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, and its symbolism changed to reflect Christian beliefs.

	:: Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.		:: Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.