THE 8 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS? A LOOK AT THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE

by Kevin J. Jones

Denver, Colo., Dec 25, 2022 / 08:00 am

The Catholic calendar has several ways to divide the Christmas season. The Church’s Western liturgical tradition sees Christmas as an octave, an eight-day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The octave of Christmas begins on Christmas itself, the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. It ends on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on Jan. 1, which this season falls on a Sunday in the new year of 2023.

The drama of this time of the Catholic liturgical calendar even includes changes to the liturgical vestments of the clergy.

During these eight days of Christmas, clergy wear white during the Mass.

But there are exceptions when clergy wear red, the symbol of martyrdom: the feast of St. Stephen, Dec. 26, and the feast of the Holy Innocents, Dec. 28.

As the Book of Acts recounts, St. Stephen was a deacon who was the first martyr after the Resurrection of Jesus. He was killed for preaching Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. One of the witnesses of his death was a man named Saul, the future St. Paul.

The Holy Innocents, too, are considered martyrs. They died in place of Jesus when Herod sought to kill all boys under 2 years old.

On Dec. 27 the Church marks the feast of St. John the Apostle, Jesus’ “beloved disciple.” John was a great evangelist and credited with authoring the Gospel of John and three letters of the New Testament. Many credit him with authoring the Book of Revelation.

The feast of the Holy Family continues the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with the flight into Egypt. It usually falls on the Sunday after Christmas. This year, though, the celebration of the Holy family falls on Friday, Dec. 30. This is because the Sunday after Christmas this year is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God looks to the role of Mary in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. She is the “Theotokos,” literally the God-bearer. She does not simply carry Jesus’ human nature, nor is she a vessel for his divinity alone. Because Jesus’ divine and human natures are united, she is truly the Mother of God.

The Christmas octave is when so many people have time to rest from a busy year and to spend time with family. One fitting way to observe the octave is to attend daily Mass and prayerfully reflect on the Mass readings.

If you have the talent, try your hand at writing an “Eight Days of Christmas” carol!

When does Christmas end? Here are possible answers

Kathleen A. Llemit - Philstar.com

In this photo taken on Dec. 21, 2022, people take photographs in front of a Christmas-themed house in Manila.

AFP / Jam Sta. Rosa

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is said to have the longest Christmas in the world, which starts in September, and reaches its peak on Christmas Day, December 25. But when does it end?

There are several dates pertaining to the end of the season explained in an article on The Catholic Telegraph. 

One argument said that Christmas is a one-day affair with the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. 

In another argument, it said that Christmas should be celebrated for eight days. Citing that the Catholic Church regards Christmas as an "octave or eight-day celebration," it begins on the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord and ends on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1. 

In a popular Christmas carol, it sings of 12 days of Christmas, which could be interpreted as the duration of the holiday. 

The article said the Christmas carol has basis as the 12th day of Christmas is the Feast of the Epiphany or the day when the Magi encountered Jesus, Mary and Joseph and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts. 

In another argument, it said that Christmas ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which falls on January 8 next year. 

Another one said that it ends on Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which falls on Feb. 2, 2023. Catholics bring candles to Church to be blessed and use these candles to light at home during prayer or when facing difficult situations. Candlemas is celebrated in some parts of the world, including Peru, Puerto Rico, France and Belgium. 

In a CBCP article, it states that the Catholic liturgy "indicates that Christmas is not just one day, but an entire season, lasting from Christmas eve, December 24, after sunset, until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (usually the Sunday after Epiphany)."

Citing Fr. Rolly Arjonillo's Facebook post, the article stressed the importance of Christmas and its real meaning beyong feasting on good food, giving gifts and merrymaking. 

"The Christmas proclamation of the Savior’s birth should pervade every moment of our existence, convinced that God’s immense love for each one of us is ever-ready to do what is necessary to lead us to never-ending happiness and to eternal life. He is with us always and He will never abandon us!” Fr. Arjonillo said. 

Christ the Savior is born, Alleluia!

by Deedee Siytangco

ANGEL THOUGHTS

On the way to Bethlehem, a pregnant Mary atop a horse with a very concerned Joseph guiding the animal to a safe place for her to give birth

Straight from an eye witness to the most important event in the history of the mankind, the birth of Christ, the Savior. Here is apostle Luke’s narrative of  The Birth of Jesus Christ preserved for all generations.

Luke Chapter 2

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while [a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

St. Joseph protectively shields Mother and Babe from the cold with his cape

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

The Holy Babe is born and Joseph and Mary cuddle Him. The farm animals are the first worshipers

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Now its Mary’s turn to rest after the childbirth. She takes a nap as Joseph tries to soothe a restless baby Jesus!

As with all Filipinos, I love the season of Christmas and the central figure of the Great Event. Welcome, Holy Babe in the manger. Thank you for offering Yourself and becoming human to save us! Thank you, St. Joseph, for following the angel’s advice to not be afraid to take Mary as your spouse because she was a virgin overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and would bear a son who would save mankind!

 I’m sharing with you, dear readers, my family’s collection of Christmas scenes over several decades. We can readily see from the faces of Mary and Joseph their overwhelming love for the Holy Babe.

Over a thousand families in Northern Mindanao evacuated due to nonstop rains

Published December 25, 2022, 6:52 PM

by Franck Dick Rosete

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Over a thousand families in the Northern Mindanao region, specifically in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental, were evacuated due to nonstop moderate to heavy rains since Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).

In a situational report from the Office of the Civil Defense Region 10 (OCD-10), the agency reported 705 families composed of 1,935 individuals who were evacuated from 25 barangays in five cities and municipalities in Misamis Oriental. 

The Coast Guard Station Misamis Occidental Deployable Response Group (DRG) deploys its personnel to conduct rescue operations and rendered necessary assistance for the evacuation of the local residents affected by the flood at Barangay Del Paz and Barangay Lupagan, Clarin, Misamis Occidental. (Photo courtesy of Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao)

The affected areas in the said province include the cities of Gingoog and El Salvador, and the municipalities of Magsaysay, Talisayan, Balingoan, and Balingasag.

About 696 families or 1,863 individuals have remained in the evacuation centers as some of the families already went back to their respective places.

On the other hand, in the province of Misamis Occidental, the OCD-10 has tallied 505 affected and evacuated families, which are equivalent to 2,398 individuals from a total of 16 barangays in the municipalities of Sinacaban and Jimenez.

The OCD-10 is still waiting for the updated report from different local affected government units (LGUs). 

The said number of affected families are still in the evacuation areas based on the report, and the flood from the two municipalities already subsided at around 5 a.m. of Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

It can be recalled that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a heavy rainfall warning signal number 2 due to shearline/wind convergence weather system on December 24, 8 p.m.

Due to the heavy rains, the water system in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, specifically the transmission pipeline has been reportedly damaged.

On the other hand, the Highway 955 and Cagayan de Oro-Butuan highway in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental has also been affected because of road blockage due to loosen gravel and falling rocks and trees, and overflowing of canal due to non-stop heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro has also experienced nonstop light to moderate rains. However, there were no affected nor evacuated families as of the latest, and the water level of the Cagayan de Oro and Iponan river remain normal as confirmed by the City Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRRMD) and Management Department here.

The respective local government units of the affected areas have been currently monitoring the weather condition and advised their respective constituents to take extra precautions.