euphemos

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Lectionary: 21

Unpolished draft, FWIW.

Is Christmas over? Well, that depends upon whom you ask. The US Bishops say yes. Today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the last feast of Christmas time, and is simultaneously the first Sunday of Ordinary time. Prior to 1969, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord or the Purification of our Lady closed the 40 day Christmas season. In much of the world, Christmas trees and such are brought down on or even before the Feast of the Epiphany. In other parts of the world, the manger scene stays up until the Feast of the Presentation. And that’s just in the Latin Rite churches.

People really get into arguing about the church seasons, cycles, and times. Well, people who like to argue like to argue about it, anyway.

I think it might be a bit of a blessing in disguise.

The Epiphany of the Lord
Lectionary: 20

Epiphany is a strange feast. 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Lectionary: 17

Every family experiences some suffering. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was no exception. They were Holy, but they experienced difficulties and suffering.