Hey there,
Over the past 40-50 years Christmas has been greatly influenced by our secular culture.
The anticipation of Santa Claus.
The Christmas carols we sing.
The red and green colors.
The beginning of the “Christmas season” before Thanksgiving.
It’s easy to get caught up in it all and lose sight of our Catholic Christmas season.
The fact is, Christmas in the Catholic Church doesn’t begin until December 25th. So if you’re feeling behind (like me) … no worries. The Catholic Church has you covered!
This week’s issue of Genuflect celebrates the true season of Christmas. We look at how long it lasts, the season within the season, how to get that joyous Christmas feeling, why you should leave your manger empty until Christmas day, ways to celebrate Christmas after Dec. 25th, the difference between Advent and Christmas music, and a reminder that the O Antiphons began yesterday.
As we reach the end of the calendar year, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support for Genuflect. I pray for blessings for you and your family.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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The Christmas Season(s) Explained
In the Catholic Church, it’s clear the Christmas season begins on December 25th. But there’s a little controversy as to when it ends. If you’re as confused as I am, check out this article. It explains the season within the season, and why Catholics have two to three different days we can consider the season’s end.
How Long is The Christmas Season? | Teaching Catholic Kids
Finding Christmas Joy
Christmas is supposed to be a joy-filled season. But it’s not always easy to “turn on” that emotion on demand. Sarah Garone shares the breakthrough she experienced that has enabled her to truly enjoy Christmas.
Can’t Force The Feeling: How Letting go of Expectations Helped me Enjoy Christmas | Busted Halo
9 Things About Christmas
Aside from the obvious birth of Our Lord on Dec. 25th, there’s actually quite a lot going on during the Christmas season, including a season within a season. Jimmy Akin sums it all up quite nicely here as he spotlights 9 important things we need to know about Christmas.
9 Things You Need to Know About Christmas | National Catholic Register
The Empty Manger
Have you ever seen a Nativity scene during Advent with the baby Jesus missing? Cristóbal Almanza explains … and makes the case for us to leave our baby Jesus out until Christmas day.
Where’s Baby Jesus? – The Empty Manger | ATX Catholic
Celebrate The True Christmas Season
It’s common to pack away Christmas on Dec. 26th. But as Catholics we are called to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season, which lasts much longer. Here are 5 fun ways to buck the secular end to Christmas and extend your Catholic Christmas celebration.
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate the True Christmas Season | Seton Magazine
Proper Christmas Celebration
If you’d like to set aside the commercialization of Christmas and return to a proper Catholic celebration, check out these 10 ideas.
How to Recapture a Proper Celebration of Advent And Christmas | Catholic World Report
Advent vs. Christmas Music
Just as Advent and Christmas are two distinct seasons, there’s a difference between Advent and Christmas liturgical songs. If you’ve never considered this, check out this article by Beth Wiliby and the Spotify playlists she’s put together for us to enjoy.
Songs of the Season: Advent and Christmas Music | Blessed is She
The Liturgical Color of Christmas
During Advent right now, the Liturgical color is purple (except last Gaudete Sunday it was rose). The priests wear purple and if your church has banners hanging like my church, they will also coincide with the Liturgical Color for the day. But with the birth of Jesus at Christmas comes a new color (and it’s not red or green), lasting until Ordinary time begins on January 10th. Here’s a refresher on the Liturgical colors of the Catholic Church.
Understanding the Liturgical Colors | USCCB
Rules For Holiday Decor in Church
Most churches will be filled with Poinsettias at Christmas and Lilies at Easter. But are there restrictions for decorating in the Church? Victoria Tufano looks at this aspect of a Catholic Christmas.
Are There Rules For Church Holiday Decorating? | USCatholic
O Antiphon Prayers Began Yesterday
Last week Genuflect covered the beautiful O Antiphon prayers that began on December 17th and lead up to the Nativity of Our Lord. Enjoy!
O Come, O Come, And Learn About O Antiphons | Genuflect
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