Session #9 - What is the SEASON of Christmas?

I - The Story of Christmas... sort of 😆

- This video gives you an idea of the Christmas story: God sends His only Son to earth - as His plan for salvation. 

- In our last class, we discussed how Advent is our time as a Church to prepare for another season: Christmas.

II - Christmas is a season???

- YES! As Catholics, we celebrate Christmas from Dec. 25th (The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord) until the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (which usually falls on the second Sunday of January). 

- This means that we do not stop saying "Merry Christmas" on Dec. 26th, but we continue wishing it to everyone until then. 

- This also means that we can keep our Christmas decorations up in our homes (and it also stays up in our Church) until then!

III - What are the symbols for Christmas?

- Light = the Advent Wreath is fully lit with the center WHITE candle in the center on Christmas eve. The LIGHT is the symbol of Jesus as the Light of the World. 

- Poinsettia Plants = also know as the Nativity flower. They will be all around the Church from Christmas eve until the end of the Christmas season! This flower symbolizes "the Star of Bethlehem" because of it's shape.

- The Christmas Tree = usually green (which symbolizes eternity) and adorned with preferably things that hold meaning to your family. Trees are also adorned with lights (see first symbol).

- The Nativity Scene = an art depiction the night of Jesus birth: Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus in the manger, plus the Star of Bethlehem and an angel are usually the basic characters present. Some more elaborate depictions may include shepherds, the three Wise Men, animals, etc.

IV - What do we DO on Christmas day?

- Christmas is a holy day of obligation = this means you are required to attend/view Mass either on Christmas eve, Christmas day. There are three opportunities for Mass:

    * Midnight Mass = called the Angels' Mass
    * Morning Mass = called the Shepherds' Mass
    * Mass during the day = called "Mass of the Divine Word" or "King's Mass"

- Every culture has a set of traditions when it comes to food and other practices for celebration. 

V - What about the rest of the Season?

- During the Christmas season, there are a number of other feasts that we as Catholics celebrate/remember:
    * Feasts of the First Martyrs (St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, Holy Innocents)
    * Feast of the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
    * Mary, Mother of God (January 1st)
    * Epiphany

- We exercise works of mercy:
    * volunteering
    * donating to food pantries
    * donating to clothing and/or toy drives

VI - Family Based Traditions

- Every family has a set of traditions that they do every Christmas season: food, music, prayers, decorations, etc. What are some traditions or "things" your family does every year?

VII - The Nativity

HOMEWORK (due 12/26/21)

Please answer the three questions below:
1) What are some of the traditions you and your family do every Christmas season?
2) Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? (view second video for answer)
3) What is the one thing you learned about Christmas?

Next class will be on January 6th!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!