Fresco of the anastasis, or rebirth, of Christ
Chora Church, Istanbul
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Happy Easter!
Fresco of the anastasis, or rebirth, of Christ
Chora Church, Istanbul
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Category Archives: Religion
Fresco of the anastasis, or rebirth, of Christ
Chora Church, Istanbul
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Today is Good Friday
Museum of National History (Frederiksborg Castle, Copenhagen, Denmark)
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Today is Good Friday, an important event in the Christian liturgical calendar. Some argue the word Good is a corruption and used to mean God Friday. Others argue it always meant that the day is meant to be pious or holy. For Christians, Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified on the cross. Observant Christians will mark the day by silent meditation, prayer, and church attendance. Many will fast during the day, particularly during the hours of 12 noon to 3 p.m. Hot Cross Buns are a traditional food many cultures use on this day (and through the Easter season). Most Catholics and Christians will avoid eating meat on this day and usually the main meal will be fish. Good Friday (and sometimes Easter Monday)are public holidays in many countries. Good Friday always occurs on the Friday before Easter Sunday.
For Further Information:
Catholic Online, “Good Friday – Easter / Lent – Catholic Online,” Catholic Online, accessed April 2, 2026, https://www.catholic.org/lent/friday.php.
Bolinger, Hope. “What Is Good Friday, and What Makes It so Good?” Bible Study Tools. Last modified March 31, 2026. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-good-friday-and-what-makes-it-so-good.html.
Sandra Hamer Smith, “What Facts Do We Know About the Crucifixion of Jesus?,” Christianity.Com, last modified August 1, 2025, accessed April 2, 2026, https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-do-we-know-about-the-crucifixion-of-jesus.html.
Happy St.Patrick’s Day! (March 17)
Image: True Restoration via Pinterest.com
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and known for bringing Christianity to Ireland. He was born in 390 A.D in Britain and raised by a Christian family. However, he was not much interested in God and at the time was illiterate. When he was 16, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd on a hillside. All alone except for his sheep and captors. he began to cry out to God for rescue him. He had a dream in which God revealed himself and that he would be going home.
Risking his life, he boarded a ship for Britain where he returned to his family. He was welcomed back but realized that he had been transformed by God. He entered a monastery to pursue his calling as a Catholic priest. As a result of his education, he came to understand Holy Scripture and impressed his peers and superiors with his character. He would be made a bishop in due course. Nearly three decades after this slavery in Ireland, he felt a call from God that he had to return to Ireland and spread the word of Jesus to a people who had become lost. This was no easy journey for him since travel was difficult but he faced hostility from those who opposed him trying to convert people away from paganism. Patrick was ready though to face the trials that might take his life (he was attacked and beaten by thugs and Irish royalty disdained him) and persevered in proclaiming the Gospel and training converts.
His courageous leadership and his crisscrossing the countryside paid off as thousands and more would be converted. Churches were being established and he was training those to shepherd the church after he was gone. He would die on March 17, 461 A.D. He has been venerated as a saint and patron saint of Ireland since then by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
In Ireland it is a solemnity and thus a holy day of obligation. It is also a cultural day as well to celebrate Ireland. Traditionally many in Ireland will wear shamrocks, wear green, attend Mass, watch parades, have a special breakfast and dinner, and of course celebrate by having a beer in their favorite pub (or outside due to the crowds). It has been a public holiday in Ireland since 1903. Since the feast does fall within Lent and is a solemnity in Ireland, it is permissible to eat foods normally excluded during this time (or any food you have selected to give up). Outside of Ireland though, it is not and local bishops will offer guidance. Usually, the bishop will allow those who wish to celebrate to be excused from Friday obligation of fasting but may require you to fast on a different day in the week or the following one.
Fun Fact
Many people associate Corned Beef and Cabbage as an Irish dish for St. Patrick’s Day (please do not say St. Paddy’s Day!). However, it is not an Irish dish but an Irish American one. In Ireland of the past, land was precious due to the English seizing lots of it for themselves (and putting many Irish people into indentured servitude in the American Colonies). So, people did not have lots of land needed for cows to graze on (you might have a cow for milk but that would be it). Pigs became popular because they require no grazing, can be easily penned, and thus cheaper to keep. So, while possibly in the far past they used beef, pork became the preferred meat for many meals and especially for St. Patrick’s Day. When Irish migrated to the United States much later (due to the famine), they discovered corned beef when they saw it being used in Jewish delicatessens. So, like dumping turnips for the American pumpkin for the Jack o’ Lantern, corned beef became popular amongst many Irish people since it was easily available unlike in Ireland. And thus, was born the now popular Corned Beef and Cabbage amongst Irish Americans.
In Ireland, Paddy’s Day (as it is called there), corned beef and cabbage is rarely eaten (except in places that cater the American crowd). Most will have the Irish Fry (bacon, eggs, fried tomatoes, black pudding, and brown soda bread). Tea is incredibly popular in Ireland so it will be at every meal as well. Additionally, scones will be served during the day. For dinner it is often a beef pot roast (roast met with mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and gray). Another popular meal might be Irish bangers and mash as well. Apple tarts or other treats will be served as well. There are many regional variations as well.
The Minstrel Boy
Probably one of the most favored Irish tunes is The Minstrel Boy. Here is a version from Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Wounded. Following it is a more traditional version. Finally, there is a version from the American Civil War. Additional lyrics were added to it in the version popular in the Union Army.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sources
———. “Who Was St. Patrick? His Life, Death and Legacy | HISTORY.” HISTORY. Last modified March 10, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.history.com/articles/who-was-saint-patrick.
———. “St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Who Was the Real St. Patrick?” Almanac.Com. Last modified March 6, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.almanac.com/content/st-patricks-day.
O’Raifeartaigh, Tarlach. “St. Patrick.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified March 13, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Patrick.
———. “St. Patrick – Saints & Angels – Catholic Online.” Catholic Online. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89.
“St. Patrick: The Irish Legend.” Grokipedia. Last modified January 3, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://grokipedia.com/page/st_patrick_the_irish_legend.
Valentine’s Day (14 Feb)
Photo: Blackfish (Wikimedia Commons)
Valentine’s Day is used by many to show their affection or love for someone they care about. It has spawned an industry for greeting card makers, candies, and of course flowers. However, there is a real religious component as many Christian denominations celebrate it as feast day, commemoration, or optional for the local diocese (such as the Catholic Church). Valentine was the name of many Christian martyrs in the early Church resulting in them all being remembered for their acts of sacrifice for the faith. Some denominations, such as Eastern Orthodox Church, celebrate a particular St. Valentine on two different days.
The association with romantic love could be linked to an ancient Roman festival has been made but there is no evidence of any link. Most seem to believe the link began with Chaucer’s Parlemont of Foules where he indicates birds choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day although 14 Feb might not be the day Chaucer was referring to. Other poems made the association of love and St. Valentine’s Day in the medieval period and English Renaissance. For those who needed love verses but lacked the ability to compose them, publishers started offering them. Then putting them on paper and sending them became possible. Paper valentines became very popular in 19th century England resulting in their industrial production. They became popular in the United States as well. With such cards being popular, you needed other things to accompany a card. Roses and chocolates became popular, likely due to skillful marketing to associate them with the day. And so, Valentine’s Day became a very major day for greeting card companies, chocolate makers, and sellers of flowers (roses being the most popular flower for the day).
But Who Was Saint Valentine?
Saint Valentine is a Christian martyr who died in the 3rd century on April 14 but owing to the confusion there were at least three people named Saint Valentine, his actual history is lacking. One Saint Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome who was martyred in 270 AD under the reign of Claudius II Gothicus (reigned 268-270 AD). He was buried on the Via Flaminia and a basilica was reportedly put over it by Pope Julius I. Archaeological excavations have shown that a found evidence of the tomb. During the thirteenth century his relics were moved to the Church of Praxedes near the Basilica of St. Mary Major where they are today. A small church built near the Flaminian Gate (today called Porta de Popolo) was called in the twelfth century “the Gate of St. Valentine” adding more weight to this Saint Valentine.
The second Saint Valentine was reportedly the bishop of Terni, Italy (Interamna at the time). He too was arrested and martyred during the same emperor. However, it is not clear whether he was executed in Rome or in Terni. Some argue that St. Valentine I and Saint Valentine II are the same person and the accounts got jumbled up. There has been confusion in the past with two people who became saints sharing the same name. Usually, they have something extra added to differentiate (St. John of the Cross vs. St. John of Damascus). It is possible that there were two men named Valentine, one a priest in Rome and the other in Terni. We simply have no way of knowing.
The third St. Valentine was martyred in Africa along with his companions during the same period and possibly under the same emperor. In this case, there is nothing further known at all. Just a mention of it and no one can say for sure whether this is true or not. With three St. Valentine’s all claiming to have suffered martyrdom, all the church can say is that they died as martyrs for their faith. In 1969 St. Valentine was removed from the general Roman calendar making the commemoration of his feast day optional. As in the case of all saints so designated, it is up to the local bishops to decide whether to it observed. For example, the feast of St. Patrick is a solemnity in Ireland and in the diocese of New York but not elsewhere. St. Valentine is still considered a martyr by the Catholic church.
Sources
“St. Valentine.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified February 5, 2026. Accessed February 14, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Valentine.
“Saint Julius.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed February 14, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Julius-I.
———. “Valentine’s Day 2026: Origins & Holiday Traditions | HISTORY.” HISTORY. Last modified February 6, 2026. https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-valentines-day.
“History of St. Valentine.” CERC. Last modified October 19, 2000. Accessed February 14, 2026. https://catholiceducation.org/en/culture/history-of-st-valentine.html.
Easter Orthodox Christmas Day (7 January)
Titanic News Channel Wishes All Our Friends In Eastern Orthodox a Joyous and Blessed Christmas Day!
Image: Public Domain (Wikipedia)
Why Does Eastern Orthodox Celebrate Christmas on January 7?
Eastern Orthodox follows the Julian calendar for their liturgical year. The Gregorian calendar, named for Pope Gregory XIII, was proclaimed in a Papal Bull in 1582. Its full implementation took 300 years owing to many countries not wanting to adopt a calendar proclaimed by a pope. Most Catholic countries quickly adopted while others adopted it later as the calendar was accurate and corrected the problems of the Julian. While dislike of the Catholic church was a reason in some cases, there were other reasons such governments being slow to act as well as local customs and traditions that had to be overcome. Adopting the new calendar required a major change, namely setting the calendar forward 13 days. That was a major feat implementing the change in many countries. The tradeoff though was clear. The newer calendar was more accurate so that you no longer had to make manual calculations to adjust for solstices, equinoxes, and other events under the old calendar. Those problems were now gone.
For Eastern Orthodox, the issue was not the accuracy of the new calendar but with the Papal Bull itself that had things in it they did not agree with and thus rejected it. The Congress of Constantinople (1923) created a Revised Julian Calendar that synchronized with the Gregorian on everything except Easter. This was accepted by Orthodox Churches in Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria. It was rejected by Orthodox churches in Jerusalem, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Georgia. Due to the split, the date for Easter is different between the two since the Revised Julian Calendar uses a different formula that the other churches rejected. That is why Christmas is celebrated by Greek Orthodox Church on December 25 but Russian Orthodox on January 7. The last country to adopt the Gregorian calendar was Saudi Arabia in 2016.
Sources
Christmas Worldwide. “Eastern Orthodox Christmas: Celebrations in Russia, Greece, and Ukraine – Christmas Worldwide.” Christmas Worldwide. Last modified January 18, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://christmases.net/eastern-orthodox-christmas-celebrations-in-russia-greece-and-ukraine/.
“A Papal Calendar?” Orthodox Church in America. Last modified January 3, 2017. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.oca.org/reflections/fr.-lawrence-farley/a-papal-calendar.
Wikipedia contributors. “List of Adoption Dates of the Gregorian Calendar by Country.” Wikipedia. Last modified October 23, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_adoption_dates_of_the_Gregorian_calendar_by_country
Epiphany Sunday (Three Kings Day)
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ((1617–1682)
Toledo Museum of Art
Public Domain
We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. (Matthew 2:2)
Epiphany Sunday is observed by most Christian denominations as a day in which Jesus is revealed to the world when the Magi arrive. It was practiced before Christmas was formally observed by the church.
In the early days, Christians set aside one day a week as the Lord’s Day which became Sunday. By the second century, Lent, Easter and the Pentecost were established as well. And by the third century, Epiphany was observed to celebrate Jesus’ birth, his baptism, the arrival of the Magi, and the miracle at Cana. Once Advent and Christmas began to be formally celebrated in the fourth century, Advent was the preparation for the birth, Christmas celebrated as the savior’s birth, and Epiphany was the day in which he was manifested to the world with arrival of the Magi and also his baptism and first miracle in Cana. Catholic Eastern Rite and Eastern Orthodox celebrate the day as when Jesus’ divinity was revealed at his baptism on the River Jordan (called Theophany). Not all Protestant denominations follow this observance such as the Anabaptists (Amish, Mennonite and others). In the Catholic church, the Sunday after Epiphany is celebrated as the Baptism of Jesus and his first miracle.
El Greco (1541–1614)
Museo Soumaya at Plaza Carso
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The traditional date is January 6 and is twelve days after the birth of Jesus. It also marked the end of the Christmas season with this important holiday. The day before was usually the day to take down Christmas decorations and the day itself had its own traditions and feasts. Marking your front door by writing the names of the wise men with chalk became popular. Special cakes and processions took place as well such as Dia de los Reyes. Children would often get gifts and candy. In Italy, La Befana, the Christmas Witch, delivers gifts during the night for children. France has a special cake, Galette des Rois, with the figure of baby Jesus inside it to be found by a lucky person. And many Spanish speaking countries (and localities) have Los Reyes Magos festivities and gifts for kids as well. So, the day is a festive one for many people. And a nice way to wind down the Christmas season. These traditions and celebrations continue to this day.
However, in the United States and several European countries, the liturgical observation is no longer on January 6. One of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council allowed for the episcopal conference in each nation to request to move certain holy days of obligation to the nearest Sunday. Since it was hard to for people to attend mass during the week due to work, school, or travel, moving it to the nearest Sunday between January 2-8 seemed the best way to make sure people attended the mass. It is important to note that this was a pastoral not liturgical change. Both the historical and universal date remains unchanged.
Sources
“The History of the Epiphany: Here’s What You Need to Know – EWTN Great Britain.” https://ewtn.co.uk/article-the-history-of-the-epiphany-heres-what-you-need-to-know/.
“Why The United States Celebrates Epiphany on Sunday Instead of January 6 – Catholic Online News.” Last modified January 2, 2026. https://catholiconline.news/faith/why-the-united-states-celebrates-epiphany-on-sunday-instead-of-january-6/.
“8 Wonderful International Ways to Celebrate the Epiphany.” The Writings of Cora Evans. https://www.coraevans.com/blog/article/8-wonderful-international-ways-to-celebrate-the-epiphany.
Correale, Marta. “La Befana: All You Need to Know About Italy’s Most Beloved Witch (With Coloring Sheet for Kids) | Mama.” Mama Loves Italy, December 16, 2024. Accessed January 4, 2026. https://mamalovesitaly.com/la-befana-italy-christmas-witch/.
Manzanares, Mariana. “7 Curious Epiphany and Three Kings’ Day Traditions Around the World – Catholic Mass Times.” Horarios de Misa, December 30, 2025. https://catholicmasstimes.com/7-curious-epiphany-and-three-kings-day-traditions-around-the-world/.
Roos, Dave. “What Is the Christian Holiday of Epiphany?” HISTORY. Last modified December 19, 2025. https://www.history.com/articles/epiphany-three-kings-day.
Suggested Reading
dePaola, Tomie. The Story of the Three Wise Kings. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020.
Longenecker, Dwight, Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, Hardcover. (Regenery, 2021).
Harrington, Paul. Epiphany: The Untold Epic Journey of the Magi. Booksurge Publishing, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives (National Geographic Books, 2012).
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Remembering Thomas Becket, Saint and Martyr (29 Dec 1170)
circa 1200
PD-US-expired, PD-UK and other countries where authors life and set years have expired.
Source: British Library via Wikimedia Commons
On December 29 1170, Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in front of the altar by four knights in Canterbury Cathedral.
Becket had been a successful chancellor for King Henry II and had helped him consolidate his power even if went against the church. Well liked and respected, Becket served the king well earning his complete trust. When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, King Henry decided to put Becket in that spot so he could have more control of the church. Appointing him in 1162, he expected Becket to faithfully continue what Henry wanted. Except that is not what happened at all,
Becket though underwent a transformation and switched his allegiance to the church. He adopted an ascetic lifestyle and lived humbly despite being in the most powerful bishopric in England. King Henry and Becket starting clashing over many issues. Finally when the king demanded Becket sign the Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164 to extend his control over the church, Becket refused and left England and went to France. He returned in 1170 after a reconciliation had been worked out. Two bishops who had sided with Henry had been excommunicated refused to rejoin unless they supported the church over Henry. The bishops complained to Henry, who was in France at the time, who uttered words that suggested he wanted him dead. Four knights took this as an order and sailed to England.
There they murdered Becket on the altar stairs just as evening mass was starting. This shocking event caused outrage and horror. King Henry went on a 40 day fast. Pope Alexander III proclaimed him a saint two years later. King Henry II walked barefoot to his tomb as penance and was forgiven by the church. His tomb became a popular spot for pilgrims to visit until King Henry VIII destroyed it. When he was reburied in the new tomb that was subsequently destroyed, many of his bones were sent to other churches as relics. They were returned in 2016 to the cathedral in which he died in.
His feast day of December 29 is celebrated on both Anglican and Catholic calendars. He is the saint of secular clergy.
What Happened to the Four Knights who killed Becket?
The four knights-Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, and Richard le Breton- heard King Henry II utter words they interpreted as meaning he wanted Becket dead. After killing Becket,. the assassins fled north to de Morville’s castle and stayed there about a year. He owned property in Cumbria and this have been used as well. They may have been preparing to go into Scotland as well. King Henry II did not confiscate their lands and let the church deal with them. Pope Alexander excommunicated all four which for all intents and purposes meant they were unwelcome anywhere in Christian Europe.
The knights appealed to King Henry for help; he declined. Deciding to seek penance for their actions, the four knights went to Rome and met with Pope Alexander. He accepted their contrition and as penance ordered them to serve 14 years as knights in the Holy Lands. This inspired the creation of the Knights of St. Thomas, a purely all English order of knights that would serve in the Holy Land. After internal disputes much later (and the loss of the Holy Lands), the order focused on charitable work and ran a school. It was dissolved in 1538 by King Henry VIII as part of his order dissolving all religious orders in England.
Sources:
Knowles, Michael David. “St. Thomas Becket.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified December 25, 2025. Accessed December 29, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Thomas-Becket.
“Archbishop Thomas Becket Is Murdered | December 29, 1170 | HISTORY.” HISTORY. Last modified May 27, 2025. Accessed December 29, 2025. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-29/the-making-of-an-english-martyr.
“Who Was Thomas Becket?” The Becket Story. Accessed December 29, 2025. https://www.thebecketstory.org.uk/pilgrimage/st-thomas-becket.
———. “St. Thomas Becket – Saints & Angels – Catholic Online.” Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=12.
[This was updated for 2025 with sources and spelling/punctuation corrections.]
Saint Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day UK (26 December)
Source: National Gallery, London via Wikimedia Commons.
Public Domain in UK and US; may be restricted in other countries.
If you remember the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas , you heard the name. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian church who was accused of blasphemy and put on trial by Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. After a trial in which he denounced them, Stephen was stoned to death. One of the witnesses to the event was Saul of Tarsus, who later converted and is known today as the apostle Saint Paul. Stephen is considered the first martyr for the faith, the reason his feast day immediately follows the celebration of Jesus birth. All the major Christian congregations–Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox–all venerate him as a Saint and celebrate the feast day (Western churches on 26 December, 27 Dec Orthodox, and 8 Jan Oriental Orthodox). In some countries (mainly Western Europe) it is a public holiday.
In the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand it is celebrated as Boxing Day, a secular holiday that falls on the same day as Feast of Stephen. Traditionally it is the day in which servants and tradespeople receive the “Christmas box” from their employers. While that tradition may still hold true, it is either a second Christmas day for some or an extra shopping day (though in some countries it apparently is a day when a lot of returns to retailers takes place). It is also a major sports day as well.
If you are in Italy, it is treated like a second Christmas Day but with a difference. Christmas Day is home with family and streets are mostly empty (and nearly everything is closed except for some restaurants and parafarmacies (pharmacies). December 26th is il giorno di Santo Stefano and a major day for Italians. They go out to eat at restaurants with family and friends. The streets are teeming with people often to see the Presepe (Nativity scene) in their local church or perhaps to see many of them in different churches. Donations to the church usually are made as well. Processions to Santo Stefano take place in many cities and towns. And there are many local traditions as well. Also many seek out the living Nativity scenes as well.
Sources
“St. Stephen.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified December 17, 2025. Accessed December 26, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Stephen.
“Boxing Day.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified December 26, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Boxing-Day.
“CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Stephen.” https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14286b.htm.
Leake, Mike. “Who Was Stephen in the Bible?” Christianity.Com. Last modified September 22, 2025. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-significance-of-the-stoning-of-stephen.html.
Merry Christmas!
Titanic News Channel wishes everyone a blessed and joyous Christmas Day. Merry Christmas!
Image: Public Domain (Wikipedia)
….And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!” (Dickens, A Christmas Carol)
Happy Advent! (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Today Christians celebrate the fourth and final Sunday in Advent. The liturgy will often include Old Testament readings from Micah (5:1-4) or Isaiah (7:10) that contain the prophecies about how God will send Jesus to come among the people and stop the enemies that are plaguing his people. A second reading, such as from Hebrews (10:5-10), will be used to show how Jesus came to fulfill God’s will and defeating the enemy that separates us from him. Finally, the Gospel, often from Luke about Mary visiting Elizabeth, will be read to show a parallel to the Ark of the Covenant. As the Ark contained the Ten Commandments-the word of God-Mary contains the son of God in her body. Elizabeth exclaims she is full of grace for the child she bears-the future John the Baptist-jumped with joy inside her when she greeted Mary.
The final days of Advent are thus to prepare for the great celebration of Christmas. Christians are asked to not only reflect on this great day of joy to come, but to also find Jesus in a very real way during this time. Perhaps it will come from service to others, donating food for families in need, or spending time with those who have no one close to be with during this time of year.
Altus Fine Arts via Pinterest
Sources
Advent: Dates, Traditions, and History,” InfoPlease, last modified November 18, 2021, accessed November 29, 2025, https://www.infoplease.com/culture-entertainment/holidays/advent-dates-traditions-and-history.
Holcomb, Justin. “What Is Advent? The Season’s History, Meaning and Traditions.” Christianity.Com. Last modified October 29, 2025. Accessed November 29, 2025. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-advent.html.
“What Is Advent?,” USCCB, accessed November 29, 2025, https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent.
Suggested Reading
Ave Maria Press, Away in a Manger: Daily Prayers for Advent and Christmas 2025, 2025.
Ferguson, Sinclair B. Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent. Good Book Company, 2018.
Kohn, Harold E. Advent Devotional for Christmas: 25 Illustrated Daily Reflections to Prepare Your Heart for the Season. Independently published, 2025.
Grabill, Rebecca, and Stephen Grabill. The Joy of Advent: Family Celebrations for Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas, 2024.
Santa, Thomas M. The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook: A Daily Companion, 2000.
Saunders, William P. Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas. Tan Books, 2018.
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