The Twelve Days
For many people, Christmas is over. They “shopped till they dropped”, ate a huge meal, and some even made their yearly pilgrimage to some church. For Catholics, however, the Christmas season is just beginning. The twelve days between December 25 and the feast of the Epiphany on January 6 is our Christmas season – or at least it should be.
When I was growing up, the day after Christmas was always a quiet day. It was a day to play with our new toys, eat leftovers, and just relax after the hustle and bustle of the days leading up to Christmas day. Unfortunately, this is not a possibility for most people, as they must return to their jobs, or to other responsibilities.
On Christmas day, we welcomed our Savior into our hearts and we began a new period of spiritual growth. A wonderful way to keep this Christmas season would be to spend the days leading up to the Epiphany as a time of renewal – a type of mini-retreat.
Make an effort to slow down and think about the wondrous things God has done for us. Try out a new spiritual practice or start a new family ritual of prayer. Journey with the wise men as they follow the star. Our faith must be rooted in our daily life. If our life has no “room in the inn”, we will miss the opportunity to grow in knowledge of Our Lord.
When I was growing up, the day after Christmas was always a quiet day. It was a day to play with our new toys, eat leftovers, and just relax after the hustle and bustle of the days leading up to Christmas day. Unfortunately, this is not a possibility for most people, as they must return to their jobs, or to other responsibilities.
On Christmas day, we welcomed our Savior into our hearts and we began a new period of spiritual growth. A wonderful way to keep this Christmas season would be to spend the days leading up to the Epiphany as a time of renewal – a type of mini-retreat.
Make an effort to slow down and think about the wondrous things God has done for us. Try out a new spiritual practice or start a new family ritual of prayer. Journey with the wise men as they follow the star. Our faith must be rooted in our daily life. If our life has no “room in the inn”, we will miss the opportunity to grow in knowledge of Our Lord.
“Heaven is not a geographical place in space, it is a geographical place in our hearts.” Pope Benedict XVI
5 comments:
True what you say about the twelve days of Christmas for us Catholics. Shame we live in a fast paced society that rips through Christmas with the same energy as a run away train.
Shame. Shame. Shame.
I want to visit a monastery this Easter.
Tom
Beautiful post and excellent advice.
Aw shucks, Terrry (scraping toe in sand) I'm humbled!!!
Wow...I love this post also. I wish more of us could here this message but also to put it into practice. I'm sure we will be seeing Valentine Hearts any day now. boohoo boohoo
Woops...forgot to wish you a Happy New Year also.
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