It's still Christmas; at least Christmas season! The octave of Christmas indeed ended with yesterdays Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. But the Christmas season lives on for at least one more week. Today, for many of us, is a holiday as January 2nd is the national holiday since New Years Day fell on a Sunday. If you turned on the TV yesterday and looked for the Rose Bowl parade or a flurry of college football games, they were not there. But tune in today and you will find them.
But beyond another day off an a chance to watch some football, this Monday is the beginning of that time that still is the Christmas season. In the Catholic Church we celebrate Christmas all the way through next Sunday, when we celebrate the Epiphany, and technically next Monday too when we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. So January 9th(which coincides with the big LSU/Alabama BCS game) ends the Christmas season.
How can we celebrate this week when for most of us tomorrow means back to work and back to school for the kids? This always amazes me how few want to still be in a happy or celebratory mood after the return to work/school but we sure were in that mood for many work weeks before Christmas Day. I say celebrate to the fullest! So today is the big last day off and the church gives us the example of St. Basil and Gregory of Naizianzen. Tuesday, as we actually leave for work and school we can remember the day as the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. What a great way to get through that first day back by calling on His holy name. Wednesday, we are already at hump day and we celebrate St. Elizabeth Seton who can be called one of America's first saints. Thursday brings the celebration of Saint John Neumann, another saint with great American ties, serving along the east coast and was a Bishop of Philadelphia. Then we arrive at Friday, January 6th and the Church gives us the celebration of St. Andre Bessette, a Canadian who was just canonized in 2010. Now many of us Catholics will remember that January 6th, no matter what day it fell, was the Epiphany or we called it Little Christmas. Because the 6th was always "Kings Day" or 12th night, here in New Orleans it is always the 1st official day of the Mardi Gras season. So when we arrive, after our short week at work, at the weekend we can break out the King Cake and Mardi Gras colors. And then the weekend will bring us the Feast of the Epiphany on Sunday, followed by the Baptism of the Lord next Monday and then, and only then, Christmas will be over.
So my advice, free of charge by the way, is enjoy the heck out of today, pour yourself into the return to school and work, stay close to the celebrations of the Church and enjoy life. And for me, I will take in my own fair share of football over these next 8 days.
It's still Christmas season; celebrate and enjoy it!!
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