ECHO

A Monthly Resource for Teaching the Faith 12.24

CATHOLIC 101

Celebrating the Lord's Nativity

Christmas is a liturgical season in and of itself that begins on December 25 and officially ends on the Baptism of the Lord, which is a movable feast that takes place about 3 weeks after Christmas.

During the Christmas season, we celebrate the Christmas Octave which ends on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (Jan. 1), a holy day of obligation.

Other special days that take place during the Christmas season include:

December 26: The Feast of St. Stephen. St. Stephen was the first martyr and we are reminded right after we celebrated Jesus' birth that following the Savior must mean that we take up our cross.

December 27: The Feast of St. John, known to be the closest apostle to Jesus.

December 28: The Feast of the Holy Innocents, celebrate the infant martyrs who were killed in King Herod's search for the infant, Jesus.

Feast of the Holy Family: Sunday after Christmas celebrates the family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

Solemnity of the Epiphany: Also known as the Twelfth Day of Christmas, this feast is moved between the dates of Jan 2 and 8th and celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Magi.

PRAY ALWAYS!

Here are some beautiful Christmas hymns, courtesy of Hallow. A perfect opportunity for you to gift yourself some peace this season!

FAMILY CONNECTION

Celebrating the Baptism of the Lord

Save the faith formation Christmas party for the END of the Christmas season! Gather families to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord! Begin by celebrating Mass together! Invite families to gather following Mass and to bring a reminder of their child's and their own baptisms if they have them available! Enjoy a meal together and then engage families in participation in various learning and activity stations that invite them to think about their baptismal call and the significance of the sacrament. In Baptism we are called into holiness. Center the activity stations around this reality.

Here are some station ideas:

1. Light of Christ: Share ways that their family has been a light of Christ to the world in the last year.

2. Grateful to the Cross: Invite participants to each make the sign of the cross at this station and name one thing to their family members for which they are grateful for Christ's saving power.

3. Sent on Mission: Provide a service project for participants to help build the Kingdom of God through service to their neighbor.

4. Called to Love Others: What does Love look like? In your home? In your school/workplace? In the wider world? Invite responses on large pieces of paper.

5. Gifted and Called: What are your gifts? Pass around a gift box. As the family member holds the gift box, invite all other family members to affirm what gifts they witness in that family member.