The Liturgical Home: What is the Season of Christmas?
Anglican Compass is proud to announce the publication of Ashley Tumlin Wallace’s The Liturgical Home: Christmas, the latest in her series of books on celebrating the seasons of the Church Year at home with your family. The following is adapted and condensed from two chapters in this new book.
Christmas is the time set aside to celebrate and reflect on the miracle of Jesus’ birth and its significance in our lives. It is a period of rejoicing in the Light that has come into the world to dispel darkness. The celebration is not confined to a single day but spans twelve days, each offering an opportunity to meditate on the gifts and graces that Christ brings. These days are filled with joy, feasting, and celebrating, echoing the angelic proclamation of “good news of great joy for all people.”
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The Twelve Days of Christmas
The symbolism of the Twelve Days of Christmas is rich with meaning. Each day represents a different aspect of the Christian faith, from the calling of the apostles to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This period is a time to immerse ourselves in the depths of God’s love and to contemplate the great gift of Jesus, who comes to reconcile us to the Father. As the world moves quickly past Christmas, returning to the routines of daily life, the Church remains in a state of celebration, cherishing the extended time to honor Christ’s birth.
Humble Beginnings
Christmas reminds us of our Savior’s humble beginnings and the profound impact of his arrival. It also invites us to consider the reality of Christ’s presence in our lives today. The Incarnation is not just a historical event but a living reality. Jesus is continually being born anew in our hearts, calling us to live in the light of his love and grace. Christmas is a time to deepen our relationship with him, allow his presence to transform our lives, and share his love with others.
Those in Need
As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, let us also remember those who are less fortunate. Just as there was no room at the inn for the Holy Family, many today find themselves without shelter, warmth, or comfort. This season calls us to act compassionately, extending our hands and hearts to those in need. By doing so, we honor the true spirit of Christmas and embody Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Beauty and Wonder
As God’s people, let us reclaim the beauty and wonder of Christmas, celebrating it with the Church worldwide. Hear these words from the Christmas liturgy, which capture the essence of this holy season:
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen
As we journey through these twelve days, may God fill our hearts with the joy and peace of Christ. Let us sing with the angels, rejoice with the shepherds, and seek with the Magi. May we always remember that the greatest gift we receive and give is the love of God made manifest in Jesus. May Christmas be a time of deep spiritual renewal and an outpouring of love as we celebrate the wondrous mystery of the Incarnation and the everlasting hope it brings to the world.
Properly observed, the traditional Christian observance of the Christmas season radically differs from how most people celebrate It. Most people celebrate Christmas Day, remove all signs of Christmas from their homes, and then move on with their everyday lives.
How to Celebrate Christmas
However, the Church believes that the birth of Jesus is so miraculous and pivotal to our faith that we devote a whole season of feasting to it. Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and is a period of celebration and feasting that lasts for twelve whole days! We leave up all of our Christmas decorations, and for twelve days, we celebrate and enjoy all God has done for us through Jesus.
Personal or family commitments help us set this time apart as holy and to prepare our hearts.
Prepare Together
Commit to preparing your home for Christmas. Incorporate the five senses into your home. Put out a candle that reminds you of Christmas. Create a Christmas playlist with all of your favorite Christmas carols. Cook some of the Christmastide recipes found at the back of the book. Add seasonal decor to your home that reminds you of Christmas.
Use liturgical colors in your home. In the fourth century, the Western Church began using colors to differentiate liturgical seasons. The colors gave a visual cue to everyone in attendance regarding the season. The liturgical colors for the season of Christmas are white and gold. White symbolizes purity and holiness, and gold symbolizes royalty. The liturgical color also changes for special days throughout the season.
Eat Together
Decide how many times you will eat together during the week, and try to stick to this commitment. Do not allow electronic devices at the table. When you eat together, pick something everyone will enjoy so there is no strife. Take your time eating the meal. Explain to your children that, even though they might have finished eating, they will remain at the table to share in family time.
Feast Together
Christmas is all about feasting, so feast together as a family! What would it look like for your family to feast for twelve days?
Pray Together
Find a time for devotions that best suits your family: at the breakfast table, around the table after dinner, in the children’s bedroom right before bed, etc. Give your children roles to play in your time of devotion. Allow them to light the candles, snuff out the candles, read the scriptures, pray, pick the song you sing, etc. This is a beautiful way to show your children that they are an important part of God’s family and to help them feel included.
Serve Together
Since Christmas is all about joyful celebrations and feasting, think about ways your family could share the joy of Jesus’ birth with those around you. As a family, visit those you know who are shut-ins, widowers, or widows. Care for the orphans and the poor among you. Invite people over for a festive meal. Do something kind for the staff at your Church, particularly the clergy. They are exhausted after the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services and could use some joy and appreciation!
Putting It All Together
Decide personally or as a family how you will mark this time. Make it official by writing down your commitments and prominently hanging them in your home, such as on the refrigerator or the kitchen wall.
If you have children, allow them to decorate your commitments with things that remind them of Christmas, such as the Christmas colors, a Christmas wreath, the Holy Family, or the particular family commitments you have made.
Talk to your children about how the family will walk through Christmas. Explain to them that how you walk through this time as a family will look very different from how the world behaves during this time of the year. Remind them that everything you do during Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We celebrate the birth of Jesus not only in our hearts but also in our lives.
Remind them that celebrating Christmas is something we do for ourselves to help us sanctify the time and remember who we are and what Jesus has done for us. It does not help God love us more, nor will it make him love us any less. He already loves each of us more than we can imagine.
Want more suggestions on how to celebrate Christmas with your family? Check out Ashley’s book The Liturgical Home: Christmas, available at Amazon.
Photo by Cobalt from Getty Images, courtesy of Canva.
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