Christmas day is almost over
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
After Christmas is over, beautiful religious rites with lots of happy singing, Alleluia in the Highest, and the exchange of gifts that make it primarily a family feast, the days that follow December 25th are often forgotten. On the 26th we celebrate the feast day of St. Stephen, the first Martyr. Stephen (sp. Steven in Dutch), my middle name, is a day I always remember. Born in the old city of Nijmegen (Netherlands), a city founded in 98 A.D., a town where Charlemagne used to reside, there is a beautiful cathedral, now a museum, named: St. Steven's, named after the first Martyr. See image. For me the most interesting part is that I remember St. Steven's, particularly by the tower which overshadowed streets I used to visit as a kid. Of course, that being during and after WWII, the tower then damaged, has since been restored. It's at least 50 years ago I last visited there.
December 27th is the feast day of St. John the Evangelist and one of the twelve Apostles. St. John is always depicted as a close friend of Jesus and he was designated by the Lord to take care of Mary, Our Mother in Heaven, after Jesus' death and burial. I am daily reminded of St. John because I have a First Class Relic of him.
December 28th is the day of the Innocents, the first male children in each family at the time of Jesus' Birth, but we also offer our prayers on this day for all the Innocents who died in recent years due to abortion, wars, and every circumstance where infants and children died through no fault of their own. Many a student has asked what happens to all these kids - the only answer is that they are going straight to Heaven. They are Martyrs and that is why the priest wears red vestments on this day. And, as Martyrs, we can be sure they are in Heaven, so we can ask for their assistance and prayers for all sort of intentions. That is also true of the Souls in Purgatory. Those souls are going to Heaven, because Purgatory is a temporary stop on the way to the Lord!
December 30th, is the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is generally celebrated on a Sunday (depending on the calendar). It's a good day to reflect on our family, past or present. If your family picture wasn't so good, try to do better as you grow in your own marriage. Or, just pray for understanding and wisdom.
On the 1st day of the new year, we always celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, which almost always is a Holiday of Obligation. January 1st is also still a part of the Season of Christmas, which runs to the Baptism of the Lord. (Jan. 8, 2023) Ordinary time begins directly after that day.
Most Catholics know this sequence of Liturgical events because it is part of our way of life with the Church and they are rather important days.
Every year I say something about "New Year’s Resolutions." I could invent all sorts of interesting ideas, but the fact is that most of the time I realize failure (in myself) after a couple of months, so I'll just recommend that we love the Lord, and our neighbors (that is, family, people who live nearby, and everybody else!!) as ourselves. Think we can do that? Mmmm, I'll try!.....
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
December 25, 2022