The Glorious Celebration of Christ's Birth Extends Beyond Christmas

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The season of Advent is a time of preparation, when we focus our attention on the coming of Christ into the world. One might say that we live in a perpetual state of Advent because we are continually preparing to encounter the Living Christ.

Our society places a great emphasis on the event which has already taken place in time, the birth of our Savior—and rightly so. Sacred scripture refers to this event as the “fullness of time,” when the Blessed Virgin cooperated with God’s plan of Salvation and gave birth to the Messiah, the Savior of mankind. God gives to the world the gift of His son, Jesus Christ, who saves us through His suffering, death, and resurrection.

Unfortunately, much of the activity leading up to the celebration of Christmas is spent in shopping malls. If we are not careful, when we arrive at December 25 and look back at our Advent preparation, it might simply consist of traveling from one store to another and standing in shopping lines all in order to fi nd gifts for our family and friends. Christmas then fi nds its culmination in the exchange of gifts on Christmas Day. Gift giving is not necessarily a bad thing in itself because it reminds us of the greatest gift of all: the gift of the Son to the world by the Father. However, the giving of gifts should point us to a greater reality, which is the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world, and God’s most precious gift. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us “Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the fi rst witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest” (CCC 524). Because of this fact, we should strive to make simplicity an integral part of the Christmas celebration.

The day after Christmas, much of society goes back to its daily routine, when in fact the Church continues to celebrate the glorious event of Christ’s birth. Special attention is given to the Octave of Christmas—the eight days that follow Christmas Day. Catholics should take time in prayer each of the eight days to meditate and pray on the precious gift of the Baby Jesus. If possible, one should try to attend daily Mass, which is the highest form of prayer.

The eighth and fi nal day of the Octave of Christmas is January 1—the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. This day is a holy day of obligation for Catholics in the Diocese of Gallup. This special day is a great opportunity given to the members of the Church in which we contemplate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role in salvation history. Also, on this day the Church prays for world peace and justice. This is most appropriate as we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (John 14:27). We understand that His peace is unlike any other—as the peace He brings is the gift of salvation.

The three Sundays within the Christmas Season focus on the manifestation of the Messiah to the world. First, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This feast is of great importance to us today as the traditional family is under attack from all sorts of forces. At Masses on this day, it is a good idea to give a special blessing to families in attendance and to pray for a strengthening of families in the world.

The Epiphany of the Lord, celebrated on the second Sunday in the Christmas Season, “is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God, and Savior of the world” (CCC 528). Christ did not only come for the children of Israel, but he came for all mankind. The wise men from the east are a reminder of this fact. For this reason, Catholics must make a special effort to evangelize and spread the Gospel message to the world. In doing so, we fulfi ll Jesus’ command to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

The Christmas Season fi nds it conclusion on the Baptism of the Lord. On this Sunday, we hear in the readings: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” God speaks these words for our benefi t, so that we might come to truly know, love, and follow His Son who he has sent into the world to save us. Instead of simply acknowledging Christmas on only one day, the Church gives us 17 days to pray, meditate, and contemplate the precious gift of the Baby Jesus. Just as Christ is the center of attention in the Nativity, may He always be at the center of your life as the world celebrates His redeeming birth. May God’s blessings and peace be upon you and your family during the joyful seasons of Advent and Christmas.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
+Bishop James S. Wall