Author: The Admin

The season of Christmas begins on December 25th and lasts until Epiphany on January 6th.  On the Christian calendar, these are the 12 days of Christmas.  Our Scripture readings remind us of things we observe in this short season.  Of course, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh.  We confess His Holy Nativity in the Nicene Creed, “who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man”.  On December 28th, we observe the festival of The Holy Innocents.  This memorializes when King Herod ordered all boys two years old and under to be killed.  In his murderous jealousy, he felt threatened by the talk and prophecy over this newborn King.  These children were the first martyrs for Christ.  We remember the warning of the Angel to Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt to be safe from Herod.  There is also a festival day within this season on January 1st.  We observe the Circumcision and Name of Jesus.  This festival will be a separate article coming soon.  Though a short season, they are twelve very special days.  Oh come to us, Abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel !!

Christmas Season Gospel Readings–   Matthew 1:18-25     John 1:1-14

Matthew 2:13-23     Luke 12:35-40       Luke 2:21          Luke 2:40-52

Our new Church year begins with the Season of Advent.  Advent means “a coming”.  The altar cloths and paraments for Advent are blue.  Blue is a royal color that is fitting as we ponder the coming of the King of Kings, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is also the color of the sky in which we will see him return in power and glory.  Advent is also a penitential time similar to Lent.  In preparing for our Savior who comes in the flesh, we ready our hearts through repentance.  Our Advent repenting leads to rejoicing as the Scripture readings appointed for this time share with us that our coming Savior suffered and died to redeem us.  The prophet Zechariah urges our rejoicing, “Behold, your King is coming to you, righteous and having salvation is He”.  May our hearts be both penitent and joyful as we await our Lord and King.