Christmas
The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." - Matthew 1:23
The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which in 2025, is on January 5 Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. During the Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of Christ. It is the feast of the Incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh. The Christmas season is a time to reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that Christ was born to die for us.
The Church has four Masses for Christmas – the vigil, Mass at night (traditionally at midnight), Mass at dawn, and Mass during the day. Each holds something special for us. At the vigil, we hear of Jesus's human lineage, generation by generation. At night, we hear of Christ's birth and the angels' joyous proclamation. The Gospel during the Mass at dawn tells of the visit of the shepherds. And the Mass on Christmas Day, taken from the prologue to the Gospel of John, ties the Incaranation to the beginning and creation: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Resources
Blessings
Christmas Tree Blessing - Loyola Press
Epiphany Home or Household Blessing
Epiphany Home Blessing with Chalk
Celebrations & Events
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina - Christmas - English
Lectio Divina - Christmas - Spanish
Lectio Divina - Epiphany - Spanish
Lectio Divina - Holy Family - English
Lectio Divina - Holy Family - Spanish
Lectio Divina - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - English
Lectio Divina - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - Spanish
Mass Times
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God Mass Times
Messages
Bishop Robert Deeley
Christmas Message from Bishop Deeley - 2022
Christmas Message from Bishop Deeley - 2021
New Year's Message from Bishop Deeley - 2022
Pope Francis
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2022
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2021
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2020
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2019
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2018
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2017
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message - 2016
Prayers
Christmas Prayer - Catholic Relief Services
Prayer for Peace in our Community
Prayer for Peace in our Community (Spanish)
Readings & Reflections
Christmas Resources from Bishop Robert Barron
Echoing God's Word - Christmas Season
Infancy Narrative - Luke 2:1-20
Infancy Narrative - Matthew 1:18-25
Readings for the Nativity of Our Lord
Saints of the Season
Saint Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen
Additional Resources
CatholicTV, EWTN, and Relevant Radio Christmas schedules
Seven Ways to Evangelize Those We Love
