Joy and Our Preparations for Christmas

[EasterJoy]

I started a thread on fun and holiness, but it was perhaps a bit too open-ended. For those who thought so, let's try again. (I'm assuming that anyone who liked the old thread will keep at it.)

“Many people falsely believe that if you want to be holy, you are not allowed to enjoy life...Holiness brings us to life. It refines every human ability. Holiness doesn't dampen our emotions; it elevates them. Those who respond to God's call to holiness are the most joyful people in history. They have a richer, more abundant experience of life, and they love more deeply than most people can every imagine. They enjoy life, all of life.”
― Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Catholicism

This time, let's be specific: What does the above-stated sentiment have to do with what we ourselves will plan to do during this Christmas season* to observe it, including, where applicable, what we won't be doing during Advent?

*By "Christmas season", I mean the period from Vespers on Christmas Eve to Vespers on the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, not the period from Thanksgiving until the after-Christmas sales start on December 26!!! Personally, I wouldn't consider comments on that definition, and how it has changed in the last 70 or so years, and any difficulties or advantages encountered in trying to use it to be off-topic!!

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

*By "Christmas season", I mean the period from Vespers on Christmas Eve to Vespers on the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, not the period from Thanksgiving until the after-Christmas sales start on December 26!!!

I am sorry, but I think you may need to amend this again.

For the Orthodox, the season begins on November 15, on the Feast of the Apostle St Philip. It is called, Philips fast or the Nativity Fast. The fast lasts for 40 days and is broken on Christmas day. And then of course, Theophany (sometimes called Epiphany--the Baptism of Christ) and the Great Blessing of the Water is celebrated on January 6. The post festive observation for Theophany goes until January 14. So the season goes from November 15 to January 14.

[EasterJoy]

Originally Posted by Mickey

I am sorry, but I think you may need to amend this again.

For the Orthodox, the season begins on November 15, on the Feast of the Apostle St Philip. It is called, Philips fast or the Nativity Fast. The fast lasts for 40 days and is broken on Christmas day. And then of course, Theophany (sometimes called Epiphany--the Baptism of Christ) and the Great Blessing of the Water is celebrated on January 6. The post festive observation for Theophany goes until January 14. So the season goes from November 15 to January 14.

OK, so we're going to have to have the understanding that we have two liturgical calendars going on here in this thread....

Let me just cut-and-paste from the current "Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar", which is to say the rules that produce the General Roman Calendar. Note, however, that because Epiphany is observed by Roman Catholics in the US on Sunday, January 8 this year, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord will be observed on a Monday, January 9. I'll not include the calendar rubrics that brought that about, but just note that on the Roman Calendar, the Christmas season generally concludes on a Sunday with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

We could get into a discussion about whether the Christmas season ends on Jan. 8 or Jan. 9 on the Roman Calendar this year; I'd rather not, but we could.

(Also note that Lent is described elsewhere in the Norms as a time of preparation. That implies a penitential character, since in both Advent and Lent we prepare our souls by repentance, prayer, almsgiving, and so on...)

V. Christmas Time
32. After the annual celebration of the Paschal Mystery, the Church has no more ancient custom than celebrating the memorial of the Nativity of the Lord and of his first manifestations, and this takes place in Christmas Time.
33. Christmas Time runs from First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of the Nativity of the Lord up to and including the Sunday after Epiphany or after 6 January.
34. The Vigil Mass of the Nativity is used on the evening of 24 December, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer I).O
In the day of the Nativity of the Lord, following ancient Roman tradition, Mass may be celebrated three times, that is, in the night, at dawn and during the day.
35. The Nativity of the Lord has its own Octave, arranged thus:
a) S Sunday within the Octave or, if there is no Sunday, 30 December, is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
b) 26 December is the Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr;
c) 27 December is the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist;
d) 28 December is the Feast of the Holy Innocents;
e) 29, 30, and 31 December are days within the Octave;
f) 1 January, the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and also the commemoration of the conferral
of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
36. The Sunday falling between 2 January and 5 January is the Second Sunday after the Nativity.
37. The Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on 6 January, unless, where it is not observed as a Holyday of Obligation, it has been assigned to the Sunday occurring between 2 and 8 January (cf. no. 7).
38. The Sunday falling after 6 January is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

V. Advent
39. Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities
of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.
40. Advent begins with First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of the Sunday that falls on or closest to 30 November and it ends before First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of Christmas.
41. The Sundays of this time of year are named the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays of Advent.
42. The weekdays from 17 December up to and including 24 December are ordered in a more direct way to preparing for the Nativity of the Lord.

So, in short: On the Roman calendar, Advent runs from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24 this year. Christmas time runs from Evening Prayer I (vespers) on Dec. 24 to Evening Prayer II (vespers) on January 8, but January 9, the day the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is observed in the US in 2012 is also a Solemnity associated with Christmas time on the Roman calendar. (Jan. 9 is not a holy day of obligation in the US in 2012.)

[admonsta]

I'm glad you asked the question, because I have absolutely no idea. This year, for the first time, I think I will have to look closely at this and decide on a course of action.

Mine will probably be child-centred, because I've got a truckload of little ones to deal with, but I guess there should be a focus on my own holiness and some means of helping my husband along.

I really like the idea of choosing a cause/devotion and saying extra prayers to that end for the season. Maybe we could find a charity and expose the children to the joy of helping those less fortunate for Jesus' sake.

I think confession at the start is a must, to set up the rest of the season. Perhaps a regular, structured examination of conscience throughout.

Just imagine going into Christmas Day and feeling like you've actually done the best you can to prepare for the wonderful celebration! I don't think I've ever done it before. I'm inspired.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

Let me just cut-and-paste from the current "Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar", which is to say the rules that produce the General Roman Calendar. Note, however, that because Epiphany is observed by Roman Catholics in the US on Sunday, January 8 this year, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord will be observed on a Monday, January 9.

There was no need to cut and paste. I was just merely stating that the Nativity Fast begins for us on Nov 15. Indeed, it is a time for preparation...but is also a time for great joy. I did not say anything about Advent. However, now that you mention it...would that not be a part of the celebration since it is preparation? Furthermore, I am curious as to why Epiphany is bumped to Sunday, Jan 8.

And one more thing...Holy Theophany is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and although we do not have language such as "day of obligation" it is a day which everyone is expected to attend. Why is Epiphany not a day of obligation for you?

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by admonsta

I'm glad you asked the question, because I have absolutely no idea. This year, for the first time, I think I will have to look closely at this and decide on a course of action.

Mine will probably be child-centred, because I've got a truckload of little ones to deal with, but I guess there should be a focus on my own holiness and some means of helping my husband along.

I really like the idea of choosing a cause/devotion and saying extra prayers to that end for the season. Maybe we could find a charity and expose the children to the joy of helping those less fortunate for Jesus' sake.

I think confession at the start is a must, to set up the rest of the season. Perhaps a regular, structured examination of conscience throughout.

Just imagine going into Christmas Day and feeling like you've actually done the best you can to prepare for the wonderful celebration! I don't think I've ever done it before. I'm inspired.

Great post! You have inspired me also!!!

[EasterJoy]

Originally Posted by Mickey

There was no need to cut and paste. I was just merely stating that the Nativity Fast begins for us on Nov 15....Furthermore, I am curious as to why Epiphany is bumped to Sunday, Jan 8.

And one more thing...Holy Theophany is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and although we do not have language such as "day of obligation" it is a day which everyone is expected to attend. Why is Epiphany not a day of obligation for you?

Sorry about that cut and paste. I get into that kind of thing.

Epiphany is a day of obligation. If Jan. 6 is not treated as a day of obligation in some particular country, then Epiphany must be observed on a Sunday between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8....and of course, every Sunday is obligatory. What that does, unfortunately, is that sometimes the observance of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is bumped off its Sunday, so that it is not always obligatory.

There has been a dispensation that's been in force for some years, permitted bishops to dispense of the obligation depending on what day of the week a particular holy day falls, and a transfer of others to Sundays. It's kind of complicated regarding when it applies, and I'm not that much in favor of it, but so it is.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

What that does, unfortunately, is that sometimes the observance of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is bumped off its Sunday, so that it is not always obligatory.

Hmmm. Confusing. In the Orthodox Church, Epiphany (Theophany) is never separate from Our Lord's Baptism. In fact, that is what is being celebrated.

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

It's kind of complicated regarding when it applies, and I'm not that much in favor of it, but so it is.

Interesting. Feasts are rarely moved to the nearest Sunday in the Orthodox Church.

Enough of the derailment....back to the thread.

[Mickey]

Here is how we celebrate the season of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ....there is much joy:

November 15: Nativity fast begins.

November 21: Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.
Divine Liturgy. Feast day gift. Out for a treat.

Dec 6: Feast of St Nicholas Bishop of Myra. Divine Liturgy. Stocking stuffers at
home. Out for a treat.

Dec. 24: Eve of Holy Nativity: Fellowship with family and friends.

Dec 25: The Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:
Divine Liturgy at the Monastery. Breaking of the fast. Fellowship with family.

Jan 6: Theophany (Baptism of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Jordan):
Divine Liturgy. Feast day gift. Out for a treat.

During the season we also like to drive around and look at Christmas Lights and/or displays of light shows. Sled riding (if there is snow). Watching Christmas shows. Etc.

[EasterJoy]

Originally Posted by Mickey

Indeed, it is a time for preparation...but is also a time for great joy. I did not say anything about Advent. However, now that you mention it...would that not be a part of the celebration since it is preparation?

That's kind of what the thread is about. If you asked a pastor, Advent is all about preparing your soul for Christmas. Generally, during Advent that seems to include encouraging people to not so much more penance as more silence, more prayer, and more charity. Without getting into the minimum required by canon law, most confessors I know would say that although more frequent confession is preferred, confession at least once each during Advent and Lent is the absolute minimum they'd suggest. They just think that confession is necessary as a preparation for the two great feasts of the year.

These goals can run directly counter to the practical requirements of putting on a Christmas festival with lots of bells and whistles, particularly for the poor mother of the house. Being single and not having those mother-supplied accoutrements at Christmas can be depressing, and of course some families are very stretched for the funds just to survive. That's kind of the point of the thread. Where does it all this fit in spirtual terms?

One very widespread and traditional practice in the Latin Church is to have an Advent wreath. There are four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent, usually in a circle decorated with evergreen boughs, but different layouts and materials for the wreaths are sometimes used. The colors for the candles are three violet, and one rose-colored for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, to correspond to the vestment colors for each Sunday. A family will typically light the candles for the Sundays that have been reached during the nightly time of prayer, which is often expanded during Advent. Even families who only practice private prayer outside of before- and after-meal prayers during Ordinary time will often gather for household prayer at the Advent wreath during Advent.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

Generally, during Advent that seems to include encouraging people to not so much more penance as more silence, more prayer, and more charity.

Yes.

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

Without getting into the minimum required by canon law, most confessors I know would say that although more frequent confession is preferred, confession at least once each during Advent and Lent is the absolute minimum they'd suggest. They just think that confession is necessary as a preparation for the two great feasts of the year.

I think that frequency of confession depends on one's spiritual father......is the spiritual father a tradition in the Latin Church? I think that an absolute minimum is one time per year during the season of Lent. But I would be about to explode if I waited that long!

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

These goals can run directly counter to the practical requirements of putting on a Christmas festival with lots of bells and whistles, particularly for the poor mother of the house. Being single and not having those mother-supplied accoutrements at Christmas can be depressing, and of course some families are very stretched for the funds just to survive. That's kind of the point of the thread. Where does it all this fit in spirtual terms?

I think that there are problaby many struggling households filled with great love and joy during the season......and many wealthy households at the opposite end of the spectrum (and vice-versa).

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

One very widespread and traditional practice in the Latin Church is to have an Advent wreath.

Yes. I have heard of this. Nice.

[EasterJoy]

Originally Posted by Mickey

Hmmm. Confusing. In the Orthodox Church, Epiphany (Theophany) is never separate from Our Lord's Baptism. In fact, that is what is being celebrated.
Interesting. Feasts are rarely moved to the nearest Sunday in the Orthodox Church.

Enough of the derailment....back to the thread.

I think the practice of transferring feasts is recent in the Latin Church, too, as in, within the last 100 years....recently enough that Latin Catholics still have definite opinions about it. I don't know when the Latin Church separated the Epiphany as the revelation to and recognition to the Gentiles in the visit by the Magi as separate from the revelation that took place at the Baptism in the Jordan. But yes, the split is ancient enough that it isn't a topic among Latin Catholics.

[happymommy]

I'm not sure what all we are going to do. We've never really focused on Advent. We have a little calendar and the kids take turns opening it each day and reading the scripture and an Advent wreath, but that's been about it.

Two of our children have birthdays in December. December 8th and Christmas Eve!! Good birthdays but it does add to the "to do" list for the month! Our daughter loves sharing her birthday with Jesus!

Our plan this year is having 3 gifts per child, to represent the 3 gift Jesus was given. It is making us take our time and focus more on what we are getting for them.

Last year was the first year we did anything for St. Nicholas Day. The kids liked that so we will be doing something little for that too, but I have no idea what. We have a man that looks a lot like St. Nicholas. Last year during RE he dressed up to look like him and the children had hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls and got their picture taken with St. Nicholas. That was fun.

We buy gifts for families in need every year and give to the food pantry too. The kids are a big part of this! Helping pick out all the gifts and food. They are always very excited about it!

We watch Christmas shows, bake lots of cookies to give to the neighbors. Spend time with the extended family.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by EasterJoy

I don't know when the Latin Church separated the Epiphany as the revelation to and recognition to the Gentiles in the visit by the Magi as separate from the revelation that took place at the Baptism in the Jordan.

I think it was Pope Pius XII in 1955.

[EasterJoy]

Originally Posted by Mickey

I think that there are problaby many struggling households filled with great love and joy during the season......and many wealthy households at the opposite end of the spectrum (and vice-versa).

Well, yes...the struggle is also in finding quiet when the secular world is essentially going into a frenzy.

The other thing is that a good many Protestants don't even have a liturgical calendar, save that they celebrate Christmas and Easter. Honestly, I kid you not: that is it. Their pastors decide from week to week what part of Holy Scripture to proclaim and expound on. There is no denominational structure to it. In some churches--"Bing!"--Christmas or Easter just arrive, with no liturgical preparation at all. There is no Octave of Christmas; it is one day. I don't know how they stand it.

Therefore, some Christians put their Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving and take it down the day after Christmas. The world goes "Christmas-wild" during Advent, and it isn't just the secular world. It is the part of Christendom that has been robbed of their Advent, IMHO.

Even in a household that observes Advent, there is a lot to do to get ready for Christmas, because relatives are coming and there are special foods to prepare and the house to prepare. It is a lot of work.

It is most common in the Latin Church that gifts are given on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (a practice that I think Luther introduced to Europe because he didn't like how much attention the Germans were giving to St. Nicholas.) Up to roughly Victorian times, those were just stocking-stuffers for children, in recognition of St. Nicholas as the patron of children and his practice of giving in secret. Now the gift-giving is de rigueur for all ages. I don't know when that changed, but keep in mind that although Europe was Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Church of England, or Greek Orthodox, the people who made up the courts of Europe were all related. For instance, Prince Albert brought Christmas trees to England after he married Queen Victoria. If the Queen has a Christmas tree, everyone wants a Christmas tree. Conversely, sometimes a royal family, which does not ethnically belong to the country over which they rule, wanted to seem as if they do. That is another way that the royal families of Europe were a conduit for exchange of these different Christmas traditions.

I would imagine the extent of the Christmas consumption came about after World War II, when the extent of all American consumption went through the roof! Now, as with all cosumption, the extent of Christmas gift-giving is being questioned. What is generosity and what is greed? What is joyful and what is selfish? To what extent does our family's consumption knowing or unknowingly make some sort of "statement" that the extended family will take exception to? I don't know about the Orthodox, but this gets into ticklish territory in the rest of the Christendom that came out of Europe.

Whether East or West, this isn't something laid down by the bishops. The Latin Church doesn't say a thing about gift-giving, one way or another, on birthdays or Christmas or any other day. This is a matter of discussion on the level of the domestic church and the ethnic church....hence, the fireworks!!

There are even families, I kid you not, that have these huge disputes about whether wrapped gifts "ought" to be opened on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning. Then--this may be more familiar even in your church--there are fights about whether we will be with Mom's relatives or Dad's relatives on this day or that. There are fights, affections are cooled, relatives are on the outs over it. It is a big deal.

The Lord did predict that "a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law", but I don't think he meant the fight over who has dibs to be spoiling the grandchildren on Christmas!