Christmas is not over yet

---

Alfredo E. Cárdenas is editor of the South Texas Catholic.

---

Many of us, myself included, are fond of the slogan "Let's keep Christ in Christmas." But how many of us do so until Christmas is fully complete.

If you have already taken down your Christmas tree and ornaments, chances are you have cut Christmas short. The Liturgical Calendar of the Catholic Church indicates that Christmas is not over until Jan. 11.

When we are awaiting the birth of a child or grandchild we do not suddenly lose interest the minute it is born. No, we continue with our joy and cannot get enough of the newborn. We go on for weeks wanting to carry him, kiss her, toss him up in the air and make goofy faces and sounds for her. The joy seems to never end–at least until they reach the terrible twos or worse yet become teenagers. And even then, the love does not stop–it never does.

So it must be with the birth of our Savior. We must continue to carry his cross, give him our loving kisses, raise our arms in exaltation to him and yes, from time to time, it is okay to share our silliness with him. I'm certain Jesus has a good sense of humor. He too never stops loving us, to love us is why he made us.

As we go about our busy daily lives, the Church reminds us of the coming of Christ's birth by providing four weeks for Advent in the Church Liturgical Calendar. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds us that "The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ's second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord's birth on Christmas." The Church provides us devotions, such as Advent wreaths and calendars, to help in our preparation.

The Church also provides us with direction on how to continue our celebration after Christ's birth, beginning at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve through the Baptism of the Lord on Jan. 11. The Octave of Christmas, the eight days after Christmas, ends today, Jan. 1, with the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This day also honors the holy Name of Jesus.

In the United States, Jan. 1 is a Holy Day of Obligation. Besides attending Mass, the family may want to gather at the dinner table, the Christmas tree or the manger scene and offer a prayer for the coming New Year.

The Christmas season-especially The Epiphany of the Lord that usually is on Jan. 6 but this year will be celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 4-is the traditional time for blessing of homes. During the Mass of the Epiphany it is customary to announce the dates of movable feasts for the coming year and it is a time when the Church blesses and distributes calendars.

The Epiphany conveys that Jesus is the Messiah and Savior of the world, as indicated by the call of the wise men who came to pay homage to Jesus. During the week after The Epiphany, the Gospels tell the story of Jesus' childhood and other appearances of the Lord. The Sunday after Jan. 6 is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and end of the Christmas season.

As we can see, we still have another 10 days to celebrate the joyous coming of the Lord. Take this time to continue to merrily celebrate and reflect on the joy of the Gospel. Turn away from the stress imposed on the holidays by our material culture and rest in the love Jesus.