Saints of Christmastide
Glory to the Newborn King!
As Christmas is one of the holiest days of the Church Year, (second only to Easter) it is celebrated by an octave, which is 8 days of celebrating through January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The 8 days of the octave hold the same solemnity as the feast day itself. Within The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, the days after Christmas, December 26th through the 28th honor the Martyrs of the Church in a special way. These days are the 2nd-4th days of Christmas. Some legends say that the 12 days of Christmas are a secret code to teach the faith during times of Christian persecution. Varying days throughout the Christmas season celebrate different aspects of the Christmas Mystery such as January 1st (the Octave Day of the Nativity) honors Mary’s obedience to the Will of God, and Her role in the Christmas mysteries as She gives birth to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Then there’s the The Feast of the Epiphany honors the visit of the Magi, and finally the Christmas Season ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord as a liturgical season (like Advent or Lent) but many cultures celebrate until February 2nd which is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. While the world tends to move on from Christmas (and unfortunately fall into a state of sadness) on December 26th Catholics and other Christians are just beginning to celebrate the Mystery of The Word Made Flesh. Even behind February 2nd, devotion to the Christ Child and the Holy Family remains until the focus is placed on Jesus Passion during Lent.
Customs for the Saints of Christmastide
During these days of Christmastide aka the 12 days of Christmas, spirits were active in the world and the Rites of Epiphany would hold them back for another year. To keep a fire burning would keep them from entering the chimney especially with the odor of salt or burning shoes and asparagus. Babies born during this time were protected by being swaddled in garlic or straw.
St. Stephen, the Protomartyr
December 26th honors St. Stephen, the first martyr. As Tertullion said "the blood of the martyrs are the seed of the Church” and thus the martyrdom of Stephen symbolizes the birth of the Church the day after Christ is born. Boxing day is celebrated on December 26th because it was on this day that the poor box was opened by the Clergy for distributing. It is today that the carol Good King Wenceslaus speaks of, “on the feast of Stephen.” Children would go door to door asking for alms, sometimes called Stephening. Sometimes oats are thrown at each other and ankles beaten with holly branches to recall the stoning of the Saint. Ireland recalls the betrayal of the wren on the feast of St. Stephen whose call gave away the Irish attempt to sneak attack the Vikings raiding their country. The inhumane practices towards the wren have been outlawed in most places and thankfully replaced by a fake wren. December 26th also marks the beginning of Kwanzaa.
About St. Stephen
St. Stephen’s Martyrdom (Video Clip)
Beneath the main altar with the relics of St. Lawrence are those of St. Stephen. Tradition states that when St. Stephen’s relics were interred, those of St. Lawrence miraculously moved to one side to welcome him.
The Site of St. Stephen’s Martyrdom, Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen:
St. John the Evangelist, the Beloved Disciple
December 27th honors the sole Apostle who remained with Christ at His Passion. He was one of the first to witness the Resurrection, He wrote the Fourth Gospel and He wrote the Book of Revelation in Exile. St. John follows Stephen because He is the Apostle of virginity and premier proponent of Christ's Divinity. It is to this Saint that Jesus said “Behold your Mother” at the foot of the Cross when He entrusted Mary to St. John’s care. He is also believed to be the Apostle who rested on Christ’s Sacred Breast at the Last Supper. Therefore Saint John is a direct witness to Jesus’ Eucharist, Passion and Death and Resurrection.
St. Gertrude Celebrations of St. John (For more customs see “Christmastide Customs” above.
In “The Passion of Christ”, St. John has a prominent role. There’s also movies about St. John’s Gospel and the Book of Revelation which he wrote. Also as Hansel’s “Messiah” is based on St. John’s Gospel, today would be a good day to listen to this masterpiece.
At Knock in Ireland, St. John appeared with Our Lady dressed as a Bishop and holding the Gospels. From Instagram @knockshrine
St. John,
Beloved Disciple of the Lord, Faithful priest,
Teacher of the Word of God.
Help us to hunger for the Word.
To be loyal to the Mass And to love one another!'
- From the Novena to Our Lady of Knock
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Apostle.
Witnesses to the Apparition at Knock described St. John as being vested as a bishop, wearing a small mitre. He held an open book in his left hand and in its pages the lines and letters could clearly be seen. He appeared to be preaching but no voice was heard. He stood so that his back was neither turned to the Virgin or to the Lamb that stood upon a simple plain altar.
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