4. Christmas Resources

Finding deeper meaning in Christmastime

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself.

Explore how to make new light of the Christmas season with these columns and articles from the Texas Catholic Herald and more

Read Cardinal DiNardo's 2024 Christmas Message

 

  • Are there really 12 Days of Christmas?

    It's still Christmas! Even though stores have moved on to their "After Christmas" sales and radio stations have stopped playing Christmas music, the Christmas season actually begins on Christmas Day. But how long does it last? (A lot longer than most people think -- keep those decorations up longer to celebrate the Christmas season!) Read more

  • Origins and meaning of the Christmas nativity scene

    Christmas nativity scenes are among the most common things associated with the season that we encounter at Christmastime. They are in shopping centers and in front yards. Given their near ubiquity, it may come as a surprise to some that they have been around for “only” about 800 years. Exploring their origin may help us to more profitably engage with them today. Read more

  • Born for Greatness

    Although Christmas has become increasingly linked with consumerism, we need to pause and focus on the hidden treasure that surpasses most materialistic aspects of the season. Read more

Christmas Resources

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. It is the feast of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to become one of us. Because of this belief, God is not only Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Emmanuel (God-with-us).

While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present condition to reach Him), He is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise toward Him). Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar. 

The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him…including the fact that he was born to die for us.

The Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are popular symbols of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. It is also traditional to exchange Christmas gifts with family and friends as a way to honor God the Father's gift of his only son to the world. Having received the gift of Christ, we naturally want to pass that gift along to our loved ones.

Additional resources from the USCCB.

Inviting All to Become One In Christ