"It an't over 'til the Fat Lady sings" -- or -- KEEPING OUR RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS ALIVE

As we continue to celebrate and enjoy them, please, get these holidays right, folks. Some of you are closing them prematurely -- and sooner than you rushed to begin them since before All Hallows Eve (a.k.a. "Halloween"). Already the curb sides are scattered with discarded Christmas trees -- (which in this diverse community were mostly inclusive "holiday" trees anyway.)

Saturday, December 25th was the Solemnity of The Nativity of Our Lord (a.k.a. "Christmas"). It commemorated the Incarnation (Latin: “becoming in flesh”) of Jesus Christ into this world. Although Jesus existed since before His Conception, our Lord's Birth began the restoration of humanity to a state of grace greater than that of Adam and Eve before the Fall. It's also when our Lord began to take the world back from the devil. His Incarnation becomes His First Gift to us (followed by His Atonement and Resurrection)! "And The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us..." as True God and True Man.

Then and NOW comes the Octave of Christmas (octave means eight; hence the Octave of Christmas lasts for eight days) which began yesterday on the Feast of The Holy Family and the Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, (my Name Day*). This current octave period introduces and continues the Christmas Season, not ends it.

Someone casually mentioned that I have too many "Santas" decorating our home. He was reflecting a western mentality. In fact, those statues represent St. Nicholas who represents the gifts we exchange with each other on January 6th, the Feast of The Epiphany ** ( a.k.a. "Little Christmas" or "Three Kings bearing Gifts"), not that cute cartoon fiction. Although his Feastday is Dec. 6th, this historical "Santa Claus" delivers his gifts on "Little Christmas" -- NOT Christmas Eve or morning. Rather, that is when we give our spiritual gifts to the Christ Child since it is HIS birthday which is all about Him -- not us!

But even though most of you will take down your trees and decorations the day after (on Jan. 7th) that still does NOT end the Christmas Season. (PS: The Old Calendar Orthodox Christians will celebrate their Christmas that day according to the Julian calendar.)

Your presepio (Nativity scene) or crèche ("manger") and outdoor lights should remain as a tangible witness of your Catholic Faith until February 2nd, The Purification of the BVM (a.k.a. "Candlemas Day". However, now it has been renamed "The Presentation of The Lord in the Temple".) That is when the Christmas Season traditionally ends. It should be easy enough to remember since that day is also "Groundhog Day" here in America.

Today is the Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist (my other Name Day*)! For some radical malcontents and politically correct "christians", Kwanzaa, a noble and novel holiday which honors seven African principles and values, starts today. It was/is a separatist idea invented in 1966 by the convicted rapist, Ronald Everett, (alias "Maulana Karenga" who also burned a woman's mouth with a hot soldering iron) because he resented the "white mans' holidays" of Chanukah and Christmas. Need I mention anything more about that observance?

My New Year Blessings to you all. -- Fr. Stephen John (Tyminski) †

* As does the Holy Father, we of the East European and Eastern Rite backgrounds (I was ordained a bi-ritual Orthodox priest) always commemorate our Name Days and hardly ever any birthdays -- other than the Incarnation of Christ Jesus. Birthday celebrations are a new phenomena relative to American westernized cultures.

** Schedule your Epiphany Home Blessings NOW! Call or write me to arrange a pastoral visit. (Including your residence, apartment, SRO, dorm, store, industrial or commercial business, facility unit, institution, etc. - anywhere where the Faithful dwell or congregate.) The FULL TEXT of that family blessing rite (a.k.a. "The Chalking of The Doors" ) will be posted here for your personal copy and better participation.