Tree of Life

Today we honor the Presentation of Jesus, the Light of the World into the Temple in accordance with Jewish law. Today officially closes the Christmas season and Spring begins in many countries.  February 2nd marks 40 days since the birth of Christ on Christmas and is also the midway point between Winter and Spring. Some cultures will celebrate today as the dawning of Spring just as Jesus’ Presentation is the dawning of Salvation.  This is because Simeon, holding Jesus in His arms says “my eyes have beheld your salvation.”  In Jewish Law the firstborn male is dedicated to God on the 40th day since birth and the child’s mother is gone through the rites of purification. For this reason today is a shared feast of Mother and Son. Just as Jesus was baptized as an example to us and an expression of His humility, so too do Jesus and Mary subject themselves to the law though unnecessary (because of their statuses as God and His Immaculate Mother) as an exercise in humility and ob...

Today we honor the revelation of Jesus Christ to the nations by the light of the star of Bethlehem. The Wise Men arrive and present to the Infant Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense and Myrrh. The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is liturgically (within Church Liturgy/ Mass) celebrated on the Sunday between January 2nd-8th. It is typically the second Sunday following Christmas. The traditional date before being solemnized with a Sunday feast is January 6th, known as “Little Christmas” in some cultures. The vigil or eve of the traditional feast of Epiphany is known as TwelfthNight because it is the 12th day of Christmas. It is this day that holds the solemnity that Christmas Day does in some cultures. Epiphany is the celebration of the revelation of God, born in Bethlehem.  The most popular custom for Epiphany is house blessing. This is because Jesus revealed Himself to the nations by the Star and all came to worship Him from shepherds to Kings. By the Wise Men visiting Jesus’...