Christmas is celebrated on December 25th to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas season begins on this day and lasts until the second Sunday in January. Key events and symbols of the season include the Nativity scene, readings from the gospels of Matthew and Luke describing Jesus' birth, and religious feasts honoring Jesus, his family, and early Christian figures like Saint Stephen and Saint John. The liturgical color of the season is white to represent joy, glory, and innocence.

1. CHRISTMAS
SEASON

2. • Christmas is the feast celebrating the nativity
(birth) of our Lord
• The liturgical Christmas season begins on
December 25, Christmas Day
• It ends on the Sunday after January 6 (second
Sunday in January)

3. • An important symbol of the Christmas season is
the creche or “Nativity Scene”
• This symbol reminds us of the real meaning of
the season

4. • Readings from Matthew and Luke, the Infancy
Narratives, recount the story of Jesus’ birth
• Matthew’s gospel tells about the Wise Men;
Luke’s gospel tells about the shepherds
• The liturgical color is white for joy, glory and
innocence

5. • Some feasts of the Christmas season:
- December 25 – Christmas Day
- December 26 – Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr
- December 27 – Feast of St. John the Apostle
- December 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents
- @December 30 – Feast of the Holy Family
- January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
- January 6 – Epiphany (Visit of the Magi)
- Sunday after Epiphany – the Baptism of Jesus