Feast of the Holy Family
DATE: December 26
SCRIPTURE: “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)
REFLECTION: The Feast of the Holy Family honors not only Jesus, Mary and Joseph, but also draws attention to the importance of family in our world. In the family is found the domestic church, the place where faith is nourished and grown. How can we make our homes and families more of an outlet of faith?
Feast of St. Stephen
DATE: December 26
SCRIPTURE: “Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8)
REFLECTION: Stephen was the first martyr of the Church. To what lengths would we go for Jesus? We may not be called to give up our lives for the faith as St. Stephen did, but by offering up our daily tasks, duties and responsibilities, we too can give our all to Jesus in little ways each day?
Feast of St. John
DATE: December 27
SCRIPTURE: “One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side.” (John 13:23)
REFLECTION: John is the fourth Gospel writer and is known as the “apostle whom Jesus loved.” He was the only apostle to be at the foot of the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion. How can we love Jesus when it seems no one else is? How can we remain with Jesus when the world has turned its back on him? back on him?
Feast of the Holy Innocents
DATE: December 28
SCRIPTURE: “He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” (Matthew 2:16)
REFLECTION: The Feast of the Holy Innocents commemorates the young children that were killed as a result of King Herod’s jealousy towards the Baby Jesus. Who are the innocents in today’s society that are persecuted or even killed? Take a moment to pause and pray for all those who suffer undeserved persecutions.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
DATE: January 1
SCRIPTURE: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)
REFLECTION: The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrates Mary’s role as the Mother of God — the Theotokos. How do we honor Mary? Do we view her as not just the Mother of God, but as our mother, too? Maybe our New Year’s goal can be to draw closer to Mary, for she wants nothing more than to lead us closer to her Son.
Feast of the Epiphany
DATE: January 2
SCRIPTURE: “Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?’” (Matthew 2:1-2)
REFLECTION: On the feast of the Epiphany, we remember the Magi’s arrival upon the baby Jesus. In many countries, Epiphany is celebrated with gift giving and parades. Do we, too, keep the spirit of Christmas alive, or does it pass as soon as the calendar hits December 26? We can keep the spirit of Christmas going through Epiphany and all year long by holding on to the Advent hope of our Savior.
DID YOU KNOW? In France, the day is celebrated by eating a dessert called “Galette des Rois” or “King’s Cake.”
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
DATE: January 9
SCRIPTURE: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.” (Matthew 3:13)
REFLECTION: The feast of the Baptism of the Lord honors Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by John. Baptism is the cleansing of our original sin. Jesus was sinless, and thus his baptism represents his humility and desire to teach us. What are some things in our life we need cleansing from? Maybe it’s the sins we’re holding onto. Let Jesus wash clean the areas in our life that prevent us from loving him more fully.
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Compiled by Gianna Bonello
Featured image: Getty Images/ThomasVogel;