December 25 — Christmas Day
What is the Christmas Octave?
Beginning with Christmas Day, the Christmas Octave refers to the eight days that follow December 25th. The tradition dates to the 4th century, and today, is one of only two liturgical feasts celebrated this way, the other being Easter. While the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas continues to Epiphany, the full liturgical season of Christmas concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
However long you choose to celebrate, the invitation of the season extends all year: where do we encounter Emmanuel, God-with-us, in our daily life?
Sometimes at night, when I am winding down from my day, I scroll through social media on my phone as my mind quiets and I settle in for sleep. While I try to dim my screen as much as possible, I always hear the complaint from my wife that the light is keeping her up. Of course, we don't notice the same light from our screens during the day. But the dimmest light breaks through darkness and can wake us up, even when we want to sleep.
We hear today in the Gospel that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Often, it is the surrounding darkness itself that makes us aware of the light. Much like the lights from bedside monitors that become more pronounced during night shifts in our ministries, the light that shines in the darkness today is a sign that we are loved and that we are cared for. In the quiet of those passing hours of darkness, those small lights are all the more pronounced, and our participation in the healing ministry of the one who enlightens everyone shines forth, challenging the darkness that cannot overcome it.
Michael Rogers, Ph.D, S.T.L.
Mission Leader, Trinity Health of New England
Pause
Where do you long for light on this Christmas Day?
Pray
God, who is hope, shine Your light in our darkness so that we may continue to build Your kingdom. Let us be reflections of Your brilliance, always working to make Your goodness known. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.