Advent/Christmas

On December 17th, a shift in focus takes place in our readings and prayers, moving from emphasis on the Second Coming of Christ, to the more immediate preparation for the celebration of his first coming at Christmas. Beginning on the 17th, the “O” antiphons, familiar to us as the verses of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” appear one for each day in the daily prayers of the Church until the 24th. Now it is time to set up mangers and trees and prepare the lights to be lit on the evening of the 24th of December and to stay lit through to the end of the Christmas Season on January 9th.  Keeping Christ in Christmas is more than being able to say “Merry Christmas” rather than "Happy Holidays"; rather, keeping Christ in Christmas involves keeping Advent and Christmas as distinct seasons of the Church Year and celebrating each properly and fully.

Fr. Edward Healey