Many of us notice how the neighbors who put up their Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving, are often found taking these down the day after Christmas. They do not even leave these up until the Baptism of the Lord, the last day of liturgical season of Christmas. When we consider how much work often goes into outdoor lights, the Nativity Scene indoors and the Christmas Tree, it seems so sad that just a few days after the bleak winter solstice, people are in a rush to take down and pack away these beautiful symbols of the Yuletide Season. That is, of course, if you are not of eastern European descent.
Have you ever wondered why Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Lithuanians, Ukrainians and Hungarians leave their decorations up until “Little Christmas,” that is, February 2? This is liturgically the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Catholics have the candles used for Church purposes blessed.
Whence arose the name “Candlemas Day?” This custom of leaving up the Christmas decorations goes back to medieval days when Europeans took down their decorations because, traditionally, this marked the official end of the Christmas season, which was 40 days long.
Some folks took the decorations down on February 2 because they believed that decorations left up beyond Feb. 2 would be possessed by goblins.
This writer believes that the eastern European custom of leaving Christmas decorations up until February 2, exactly 40 days after Christmas day, is a wonderful practice. Think about it. With all of the activities which accompany the celebration of Jesus’ birth, many of us get swept up with baking cookies, stolen, babka, pizzelle and panettoni. We are wrapping gifts. We are cooking foods that our parents and grandparents made to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We are entertaining family and friends.
But how many of us in this short period actually take the time to contemplate the wonder and awe of the Incarnation? How many of us get to gaze on the beauty of lights which adorn our homes? How many of us can share why the ornaments on our Christmas trees are so significant? The truth is, we cannot do any of these things. Still, for those who are not in a rush to tear down the Christmas decorations and enjoy them for a longer period of time, we might find this fairly short liturgical season full of meaning that eluded us in years past.
We are people of faith, not slaves of superstition, nor should our observances be dictated by Hallmark cards (Valentine Cards appear days after Christmas). We should leave our Christmas decorations up at least until the Solemnity of the Epiphany, also called “Feast of the Three Kings.” Let us use the extended days of lights, Nativity Scenes and Christmas Trees to instruct our children and grandchildren about our faith in the miracle of the Nativity of the Lord. Let us use this time to revel in the merciful love of God the Father who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, sent us his only Son, not to condemn us but to save us, from Satan’s grip, from Adam’s sin, from ourselves. This Son, born of a virgin, came among us, as one of us, in all ways but sin. Come, let us adore him, not until January 6, not until February 2 but year-round.
Father Comandini serves as diocesan coordinator of the Office for Ongoing Faith Formation.