On the First Day Of Christmas

For many people, Christmas is already over. The decoration are being taken down, the gifts are put away. Christmas songs have disappeared from the radio and from many hundreds of homes. Plans to take down the Christmas tree and lights are already in progress, and maybe have already happened. It is time to go back to work and the ordinary winter season. The excitement and anticipation is gone, and for many all that is left is too much chocolate - not to mention how tired everyone feels. It's almost like crashing from a sugar high. For Catholics though, Christmas is far from over. We are lucky. Christmas doesn't end on the 25th. It starts there.

"Where does Christmas go 

When its day is through? 

Where does Christmas go," they asked, 

"and what does Christmas do?" 
-Trans-Siberian orchestra

I am sure you have all heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas. There is even a song about it. (In fact, this song actually originated because of the Catholics, and symbolized different aspects of the Catholic religion.) Now-days the world thinks the Twelve Days lead up to Christmas, when in actuality they happen after the 25th. IT is the Twelve days of Christmas, not the twelve days before Christmas. For these twelve days, (and often for longer than that) Catholic keep the celebration of Christmas going. The Christmas music keeps playing, the decorations stay up, the season continues. For it is a season! Christmas isn't restrained to one silly little month. It is a whole freaking season! First there is Advent, the Four weeks leading up to the 25th, and then there are the Twelve Days of Christmas, and then there is Christmastide, which goes all the way up until February second! Christmas lasts more than two months you guys! I think it's sad that no one knows this but us Catholics and those we tell. For the majority of the world, 'Christmas' is one day. There is anticipation of course, but the celebration itself only lasts for one little day, maybe two if the family has a party on Christmas Eve.


Now the Twelve Days of Christmas is the waiting time between when Jesus' birthday, and when the Wisemen found him on Epiphany. It is a very special time, as the festive spirit and joy continues. In my family we have a special tradition where we save one gift on Christmas Day and leave it under the tree until Epiphany. We also set up our Wisemen statues at one end of the Living room, and every day we make them journey a little closer to the Manger. This gives you the feeling of the Wisemen looking for Christ, and the excitement when they finally get to him and honour Him.

Since there are at least two weeks of Christmas left, I'd like to post a few times during these twelve days to remind everyone what is really important and help with the Christmas season. Remember that the joy of a new baby never fades after just one day, nor does the excitement of Spring, or the thrill you get during the Summer Holidays. Likewise, Christmas Joy doesn't end the day it starts, but instead it grows, and is supposed to be treasured and remembered all year.  For this reason, I will try and do a few posts during these twelve days, reminiscing, sharing traditions, and spreading some Christmas Cheer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! Have a beautiful Christmas season filled with good food, good friends, an open heart, and courage for the new year.

" [Christmas] has done me good and it will do me good, and I say God bless it!"

Arrivederci! 

Bella

And so we begin

November has arrived. 

To many, this month means Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie, and turkey.

However, to Catholics, November has a different meaning.  The Catholic Church has assigned November to be the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

In the calendar of the Church, every month has a special devotion.  It's a lovely way to incorporate our Faith into our lives, and to celebrate different aspects of our Faith all year round. 

The month of November begins with the feasts of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, the perfect way to start out this month of reflection and prayer of those departed.  Many Catholics visit cemeteries during this month, and pray especially for the souls in Purgatory and for the intercession of the saints in Heaven. 

November is filled with wonderful devotions and prayers.  It's a time for us to reflect and really pray for those who have passed from this world.

Some good prayers for this month are:

And of course, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, one of my personal favorites. 

Or a Rosary, offered up for the souls in Purgatory. 

It could be anything, even just a little prayer from the heart...."God have mercy on the poor souls in Purgatory and grant them peace."  I liked to offer random little inconveniences and pains for the Holy Souls, too. 

It saddens me greatly that our world today seems to have forgotten all about the souls of those departed.  Yes, maybe a thought here and there, a memory, but do we really pray for their souls anymore? 

I don't know about you, but if I end up in Purgatory, I want people praying for my soul. 

And just think: the souls that get to Heaven through your prayers will be praying and interceding for you in Heaven.  Isn't that a wonderful thought? 

So have a great November, and enjoy your pumpkin pie and falling leaves, and offer up a prayer now and then for your fellow Christians that haven't reached Heaven yet. 

For as Padre Pio said, "We must empty Purgatory with our prayers."

God bless!

~Haley