Why Is Christmas Important To The Catholic Church

For example st athanasius says.

Why is christmas important to the catholic church. For christians it is not just a single day dec. Christmas day is a holy day of obligation in the catholic church. It is not the name that makes christmas important. This grew out of the roman catholic feast day by that name in the a d.

Because christmas is a holy day of obligation all catholics are required to attend mass or an eastern divine liturgy on christmas day. It comes from the latin christes masse of christ s mass. As with all holy days of obligation this requirement is so important that the church binds catholics to fulfill it under pain of mortal sin. Unfortunately many of us christians are only concerned with the material side of christmas.

25 but an extended liturgical season of joy and celebration involving many different symbols and traditions special music and activities which vary significantly among different countries and cultures. The word christmas derives from the combination of christ and mass. Why is christmas on december 25. Where did the name christmas come from.

During this time the birth of christ is celebrated as one continuous festival. The church has also traditionally celebrated christmas for 40 days culminating on the feast of the presentation feb. It is the feast of the nativity of our lord and savior jesus christ second in the liturgical calendar only to easter christmas is celebrated by many as if it were the most important of christian feasts. But they are important because they help to explain why skeptics claim the birthday of mithras was celebrated on december 25.

1 pentecost sunday the birthday of the church. Many fathers of the church express this truth each one in slightly different words. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of sales and deadlines and so forget why this month is so important. 2 easter sunday the resurrection of our lord 3.

Important feasts such as christmas require great preparation. Catholics throughout the ages have creatively come up with all sorts of ways to do so many of which are symbolic. The tradition of the church incorporates material symbols because they help us get a better grasp on the spiritual realities that they are representing. Instead we find scores of quotations from church fathers indicating a desire to distance themselves from pagan religions.

As children we eagerly await christmas morn with all its glamour and glitter beneath the tree. For the son of god became man so that we might become god de inc. The three most important feast days in the catholic church in order top to bottom are. It is just as important to celebrate during the christmas season as it is to prepare for christ during advent.