The 29th of December is the 5th day of the 12 days of Christmas. This would be the part in the popular carol where the pace slackens a bit and we belt out, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!!!
It's been a festive week around here. There were 11 of us together for the traditional Christmas Eve meal followed by midnight mass. On Christmas Day we had a big dinner here at home and then on the 2nd day of Christmas we went over to in-laws for another big dinner. Not long and it'll be New Year's Eve.
Television here is packed with light-hearted movies and concerts of traditional carols. It's a great time to rejoice and also to relax and recharge our energy.
The 12 days of Christmas are meant as a time for celebrating. However, the Church calendar contains a few stark reality checks during these 12 days.
After the school shooting in Newtown CT 2 weeks ago, I began to think of the Massacre of the Innocents from Matthew's Gospel (which we commemorate on December 28th). That's the part where King Herod, alarmed at the news the Magi brought him of a newborn King of the Jews, ordered all boys aged 2 and under in the area of Bethlehem murdered. I wasn't the only person to make the connection. Please follow this link for Mark Steyn's thoughtful take. http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/336343/massacre-innocents-mark-steyn
Here's a rundown of some of the major commemorations during the Christmas season.
December 26th - the Feast of Saint Stephen, Martyr. He's the guy told of in Acts who was stirring up the people by preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. He was eventually stoned to death. The men stoning him "laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul." (Acts 7:58) That same Saul would later be struck blind on the road to Damascus, would have his name changed to Paul, and be instrumental in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ through the eastern Mediterranean region as well as write a major part of the New Testament. So, immediately following Christmas Day we get this story of the first Christian martyr - a reminder of what it means to follow Christ.
December 27th - the Feast of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist. John's Gospel begins like Genesis, but Genesis clarified in the light of Christ. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1-5) John's Gospel emphasises the Incarnation - that God took on human flesh in Jesus Christ and lived among us - and so this is a fitting feast for the Christmas season.
December 28th - the Feast of the Holy Innocents. "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." (Matthew 2:18) Please continue to pray for the mothers and fathers grieving in Newtown CT.
December 30th - the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
January 1st - the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
January 6th - the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. 'Epiphany' means manifestation or appearance. This day is also know as the Feast of the Three Kings (or wise men, or magi). This ends the 12 days of Christmas and I'll have more on this day next week.
News Year's Day
All is quiet on New Years Day,
A world in white gets underway.
Thus begins the song 'New Year's Day' by U2 (that's for you, J.P.) Those words were penned by the singer barely in his twenties. Perhaps they seem naive. But later in the song comes this line: Nothing changes on New Year's Day.
So, what's it to be for us? Hopeful optimism or jaded pessimism?
There's an expression I've heard from time to time that goes, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."
It's never too late for a new start. If we stumble and fall on January 1st; if we lose our patience with loved ones, tell a lie to avoid discomfort, cut corners and not do our very best, hold back when the opportunity comes to give somebody our time or help; we can stand up, brush ourselves off and start again on January 2nd. Here's another line from the U2 song: I will begin again.
Every day is New Year's Day.
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