But Wait! It’s Not Over Yet!
Growing up in a non-liturgical church, the beauty of the Christian year so thoughtfully designed by Saints who’ve gone before us escaped my attention. In recent years, I’ve begun to embrace the fullness of the Church’s liturgical calendar. For so many, Christmas Day has become the climax of the holidays. December 26 is often seen as the day to begin the process of undoing. Decorations come down, live trees are discarded, unwanted gifts are returned, and the call to return to our frenzied normalcy beckons. The season of Advent is complete, the waiting is over. Jesus is born. But wait! The celebration isn’t over yet. It’s only just begun.
According to the Church calendar, Christmas Day marks the beginning of the 12 days of Christmas. Nestled among the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany are several other holy days worth discovering and embracing, giving greater meaning to our seeking after this newly born Messiah.
Opening my Feast of Advent book by British author Delia Smith, today’s reading focused on St. Stephen’s Day. This has been my go-to Advent book for 10+ years, however, this is the first morning I was prompted to investigate the reason for the Church’s remembrance of the first martyr the day after the joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus. As several writers have commented, it is a day to remind us that the wood used for the cradle will symbolically become the wood used to fashion the cross. In the innocence of a newborn, we somberly contemplate the great suffering that accompanies the rest of the story.
On December 27 we recognize the Feast of St. John as we remember Jesus’ beloved disciple who rightly described the Messiah as The Word that became flesh. December 28 is the Commemoration of the Holy Innocents, remembering the infant boys who were slaughtered under Herod’s cruel orders. Each of these days reminds us of those who suffered for the furtherance of the Kingdom of Christ.
New Year’s Day we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name, signifying the eighth day after Jesus’ birth when He was circumsized and named. We also join with the world to usher in a new year filled with new Hope and new beginnings. And January sixth begins Epiphany, which translates as “to appear” or “to enlighten.” Between Epiphany and Lent the Church encourages us to focus on the manifestation of Jesus’ glory through His life and mission.
This season I want to encourage us all to wait a bit longer. Take time to wonder and ponder. Don’t be in such a hurry to pack up the celebration and store Jesus back in the attic for another year. Explore the rest of the story, the rest of the season. Find a good book with daily devotions for the Church year. (I recommend Living The Christian Year by Bobby Gross, where much of my research was found.)
May the joy of Advent, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and Epiphany be yours, and may Immanuel continue to be ever present in your heart and lives this new year.