How exciting! We enter a new Liturgical Year, the Season of Advent and the traditional Cycle of Christmas, when we meditate upon the Mystery of the Incarnation. Unlike our cultural norms of indulgence and attending party after party, we who devoutly observe Advent, know this is a time of preparation and waiting. We do not celebrate until Christ is born. Until then, we make ourselves ready by performing penance and good deeds. Joy is always greater when there has been some discipline preceding the event.
We commemorate the Divine Infancy this month as we prepare to celebrate Our Blessed Lord’s Nativity. As well, we honor Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States of America. With all the need presently in this country, let us flee to her in prayer, beseeching many graces. The feast of the Immaculate Conception remains on December 8th in the trad calendar. In the new, it has been transferred to the 9th and is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Where can you get a good 2025 liturgical calendar? At Nomen Christi Apostolate, we represent unity between traditional Catholics and those who attend the Novus Ordo. Therefore we look at both calendars and when composing these monthly reviews, refer to both. Admittedly, this can be confusing. We recommend you choose the calendar you prefer and have it in your home to advise you of feasts each month…or hang both calendars! Many parishes distribute calendars for free. As for a trad calendar, here's a good one, which will also support the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter:
Fraternity Publications 2025 Liturgical Calendar
Let us remember the Ember Days of Advent on the 18th, 20th and 21st. This is great time to do Christmas crafts with children, incorporating winter themes. Encouraging children to perform acts of charity on these days would also be in keeping with the penitential character of the Ember Days, along with Advent.
A most Blessed Christmas and Christmas Season to all!
SAINT ANDREW CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
in which the Son of God was born
of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires
through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother.
Amen.