What is the liturgical name for Christmas?
Readings
| Calendar Day | Feast |
|---|---|
| 25 December | Christmas Day (first day of Christmastide) |
| 26 December | Saint Stephen’s Day (second day of Christmastide) |
| 27 December | Feast of St John the Apostle (third day of Christmastide) |
| 28 December | Feast of the Holy Innocents (fourth day of Christmastide) |
What is Christmastide in the Catholic Church?
Festive atmosphere during Christmastide. Christmastide (“Christmas time”), more commonly called The Twelve Days of Christmas and sometimes referred to as Twelvetide (“Twelve time”), is the festive Christmas season celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
What is the religious meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas?
The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day).
Why is Christmas important to the Catholic Church?
Christmas is important to many Christians because it reminds them that: Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth for all people, symbolised through the visits of the wise men and the shepherds. Mary and Joseph both had a strong faith in God, despite the difficulties they faced.
What is the spiritual meaning of Epiphany?
Epiphany is a feast that recognizes the manifestation of God in Jesus, and of the risen Christ in our world. It is a time for believers to consider how Jesus fulfilled his destiny and how Christians can fulfill their destiny too.
When did Candlemas start?
By the middle of the 5th century the custom of observing the festival with lighted candles had been introduced, and the name Candlemas developed from this custom. In the Western church, Pope Sergius I (687–701) instituted the festival in Rome.
Is the Baptism of the Lord still Christmas?
In the Episcopal Church [USA], Epiphany is always celebrated on January 6, and the Baptism of the Lord is always celebrated on the following Sunday. It is not clear as to whether or not the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord is the end of Christmastide for the Episcopal Church.