Traditions echo through the most holy times

Christmas and Easter traditionally are the holiest times of the year. Or at least they should be in family life. And it’s a safe bet to say that with authentic Christian families, they are treated as the most sacred of celebratory times, rooted with rich, memorable traditions.

Fortunately, thanks to my parents, my Protestant upbringing paved the way for me to appreciate the breadth and depth of the key liturgical seasons — when I became Catholic. And I embrace the fullness of preparing for and celebrating those holiest times in the deepest traditional sense.

Being raised in a faithful, church-going Methodist family in rural, small-town Iowa, the traditional candlelight services on Christmas Eve still echo in my memory. A solemn evening of prayer, Scripture and Christmas hymns, and of course, candles in every pew provided the ambiance for the sacred night. Before the gift exchanges and celebration of Christmas began, going to the candlelight service reminded us of the true light — Jesus as a babe — coming into the world as God with us. And as a young child this night was to keep me somewhat focused on the significance of the evening. It was a fond tradition that still resonates.

As it happened, I married a cradle Catholic — I am still happily married to her — and then joined the Church early in our marriage. When I became Catholic, the traditions of holy days like Christmas grew in number, meaning and fullness. Christmas, for example, I learned is a season of devotion and celebration — not just a day. I find this particularly true in its traditional, preparatory nature. One of the new experiences of being a convert to the faith was learning of the anticipatory and preparatory time for the body and the spirit. And then learning that all this praise, glory and worship goes on not only before but also after the celebratory day of Christmas.

Indeed, much goes on before and after the big day we are about to celebrate this month. The Advent season (i.e., prep time) and the Christmas octave (i.e., feast time) are examples of the significance of the holy season we’re in — reminding us that Christmas is not just a day. Advent (i.e., our mini-Lent) precedes the birth of our Lord by quietly settling and blessing us with the time to prepare to celebrate the joy of the coming of the babe, Jesus, whose name means “God saves.” Advent prepares us to celebrate that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14) on Christmas Day and during the octave that continues the celebration.

Perhaps you have been encountering Jesus while preparing for his glorious first coming in many of your own traditional ways: daily Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; daily Advent readings, meditations and rosaries; through weekly small group prayer fellowship; serving and visiting the poor, homebound or senior living centers; just to name a few works of mercy. Keep them alive! Especially those ways in which the reality of Jesus’ humanity and divinity becomes present. Traditions that augment the reason for the season matter. At this time, you may be at home in the evening chanting one of the seven “O Antiphons” that precede the vigil of Christmas (by that many days). Addressing and petitioning the coming of Christ via these “O Antiphons” devotionally and gracefully help close Advent. It is a blessing to do this holy traditional chant in communion with family or friends. All will remember being on watch together — waiting for the coming of the Christ child.

On Christmas Day, during the Christmas season and beyond, encounter Jesus in the sacraments and in your daily activities. All of this helps us remind each other as family that God came to save us, fully human and fully divine as Jesus. He who was sent for our salvation in the humblest of ways certainly is worthy of not only our deepest devotions, but simple and fun ones, too. Our family and parish life acts as a witness to our culture that needs to know all about the true Savior of the world. So go ahead and sing through the 12 days of Christmas as well — all the way to Epiphany.

Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. He can be reached at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.