Baptism of the Lord

The End of the Christmas Season

Even though Christmas Day is recognized to be December 25 around the world, the Catholic Church looks upon that day as the start of the Christmas Season, sometimes referred to as Christmastide. Traditionally, this season ended on the Feast of the Epiphany, which was 12 days later, on January 6^th. These 12 days of Christmas are captured in the song by the same name.

Epiphany had many meanings in the early Church. There were three major Gospel events in Jesus’ life that are recalled on this feast day. The first is the arrival of the three Magi from the east, who blessed the Christ Child with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The second is the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, where all Three Persons of the Trinity are present and acknowledge Christ’s mission and ministry on earth. The last is the Wedding at Cana, which signifies the start of Jesus’ public ministry and the first of his miracles when he turns water into wine. Over time, the Magi and their gifts became the most significant aspect of Epiphany, with the other events in Jesus’ life having less solemnity on the church calendar. In some cultures, Epiphany became the day when the custom of exchanging gifts was done, instead of on Christmas Day.

In 1955, Pope Pius XII established the observance of the Baptism of the Lord as its own day on the liturgical calendar, setting it on January 13. Five years later, St. Pope John XXIII elevated its observance to the rank of feast on the same day. In 1969, St. Pope Paul VI moved it to the first Sunday or Monday after January 6, depending on when Epiphany was celebrated. He also raised it to the rank of a solemnity. After these changes, the days from Epiphany through the Baptism of the Lord were included in the Christmas season. In fact, the Baptism of the Lord is the last day of this blessed season with the days following being the first week of Ordinary time in the liturgical year.

The only thing this exercise in history should do for us is help us appreciate that this joyous season is the result of God’s great love for us. In it, God continues to fulfill his promise to all the world to send a Savior to reconcile us to him. So let us embrace that love and share it with each other all year long!


Father Bruce Siket
Parochial Vicar