Octave of the Nativity 2019

The Octave of the Nativity is an ancient feast with roots in pagan times.  The Christians felt the need to gather on the first day of the new year to do penance for the pagan revelry of the previous night.  This popular penitential devotion moved the Church authorities to institute this feast and thereby add a renewal of Christmas job along with a commemoration of the Circumcision and an honoring of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was the key to these mysteries.  We should promise to take our Christian life seriously this year.  The carol about the twelve days of Christmas was a catechism lesson for the persecuted Catholics in the past and full of beautiful truths during our days of celebrating the Nativity.

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