The Christmas Cycle

Advent is the first cycle of Christmas, and Christmastide is the second cycle. I want to share what the Roman Missal (1962) says about it.

During the Season of Advent we longed for the coming of Christ. In Christmastide we experience the joy of His coming into the world. The Church is full of the Mystery of the Incarnation of Christ. Jesus as God, begotten of the substance of the Father before all the ages and born of the substance of His Mother in the world, is given to us. "And His Name shall be called the Angel of Great Counsel."

By the union of our souls with Jesus born to human life, we are born to the divine life. "As many as received Him He gave them power to be made Sons of God." (St. John)

In the birth of Jesus we learn to know God as His Father: "All things are delivered to Me by My Father. And no one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father but the Son and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal Him." (St. Matthew)

During Christmastide, the liturgy shows us the Messias as the Son of God, clothed with humanity, glorified by the humble surprised shepherds, and adored by the Magi from the East. Let us fall down before the Child and bless God, for the birth of Jesus is the beginning of our Redemption through grace to the supernatural life.

Christmas is the only day of the year which keeps the old custom of celebrating its Feast at midnight. At this hour we called to mind that Mary in her spotless virginity gave to the world its Saviour. In the midst of darkness, the Light was born. Therefore the Church celebrates Christmas on December 25, the time of the year when the days begin to lengthen. The custom of having three Masses originated in Jerusalem. A Mass was said in Bethlehem at a very early hour in the morning. Later a second Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. About midday a third Mass was celebrated. Each of the three Masses has its identifying characteristic. The Midnight Mass celebrates particularly the birth of Jesus, the Mass at dawn commemorates the adoration of the shepherds, the daytime Mass celebrates the eternal generation of the Word and the dignity of the Son of God.

Whereas Advent is the season of "absence of Jesus," Christmastide is a season of great joy in our possession of the Saviour. Eight days after Christmas the Church celebrates the Circumcision of Jesus. On January 6, she commemorates the adoration of Jesus by the Magi (Epiphany), and Christmastide closes eight days later.

I especially love the second paragraph. By the union of our souls with Jesus born to human life, we are born to the divine life. How awesome! Through Him, we are made children of God. If that doesn't just knock your socks off I don't know what will! How can we ever thank Him enough?

I love the Catholic tradition of observing Advent and not rushing Christmas. This year especially, I have slowed down and considered what Christmas means. I like putting out my Advent wreath on the First Sunday of Advent, and adding things a bit at a time--a wreath on the front porch, some candles on the table, the nativity set on the piano. Finally, about a week before Christmas, the tree goes up with all of the ornaments. And there is plenty of time to enjoy all of the decorations, because they won't come down until January 15, the day after Christmastide ends. Another bonus is that we get to fully enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving without overlapping them with Christmas. :o)

Have a blessed Christmas!