Merry Christmas!

Updated Dec. 18, 2024

The word, "Christmas" is derived from the Greek, "Christos," which means "anointed one," and the Latin, "Missa," which means "to send." In other words, the anointed one is sent. This feast commemorates the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. In doing so, God became flesh, making the salvation of the world possible. The incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh, (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment") is the second most important feast of the liturgical year after Easter. Belief in the incarnation is a uniquely Christian teaching — the Divine choosing to become one of us, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which this year will be celebrated Jan. 12. This liturgical season is one of the shortest of the Church year, but it is full of celebrations and feast days, including an eight-day celebration of the Lord’s Nativity, known as the Christmas Octave. Other highlights include: the feast of the Holy Innocents; Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God; Most Holy Name of Jesus; and the Epiphany of the Lord.

These saints are also remembered during the Christmas season: St. Stephen, the first martyr; St. John, apostle and evangelist; St. Thomas Becket; Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious; St. John Neumann; and St. Andre Bessette.

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Christmas Resources

To help you celebrate this season of joy and hope for salvation, the USCCB offers several Christmas resources, including blessings for your nativity scene, Christmas tree, the home on Epiphany, list of recommended Christmas movies or pray through Lectio Divina for the Christmas Season. The Diocese of Des Moines offers great suggestions on living the Christmas season and making room for Jesus in your family's traditions.

Simply Catholic explores how Christmas caroling came about, when to take the decorations down, the meaning behind our Christmas traditions, including Christmas trees, food, nativity scenes, star of Bethlehem and more. Or check out Franciscan Media's FAQ, the history of Christmas carols or a reflection on how to experience the true joy of Christmas from Word on Fire. Arkansas Catholic explores the meaning the 12 Days of Christmas song, details the symbolism of the gifts of the Magi and offers recipes for Christmas sweets sure to make your mouth water.

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