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DailyOratory

Daily Oratory follows today's liturgical color

Interior pages use today's Church color as a subtle devotional accent.

Ordinary Time Green

Liturgical season

Christmas Season

Receive the mystery of the Word made flesh with joy, wonder, gratitude, and peace.

O Antiphons

From Advent longing to Christmas joy

The O Antiphons prepare the heart in the final days before Christmas by calling upon Christ as Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Radiant Dawn, King of Nations, and Emmanuel.

Pray the O Antiphons

Epiphany

Epiphany: Christ Revealed to the Nations

After Christmas, Epiphany invites us to follow the Magi, worship Christ the King, bless our homes, and carry His light into the world.

Explore Epiphany

Season guide

Christmas Season

A season of joy and wonder before the mystery of the Word made flesh.

WhiteGold

Tap to open this season

Season mindset

Receive the mystery of the Incarnation with joy, gratitude, humility, and wonder.

Christmas is not only one day. It is a season of contemplating the Word made flesh, the Holy Family, the manifestation of Christ to the nations, and the light of God entering the world.

Key themes

IncarnationJoyLightHoly FamilyDivine sonshipPeaceThe humility of God

What to do in this season

  • Keep celebrating beyond December 25.
  • Pray before the Nativity scene.
  • Bless the Christmas tree or home.
  • Read the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke.
  • Celebrate the Holy Family and pray for families.
  • Mark Epiphany with a home blessing where customary.
  • Sing Christmas hymns during the season.
  • Visit the sick or lonely.
  • Practice gratitude for the gift of Christ.

Major days and customs

  • Christmas Day
  • The Holy Family
  • Mary, Mother of God on January 1
  • Epiphany
  • The Baptism of the Lord
  • The Christmas Octave

Special Masses and liturgies

  • Christmas Vigil or Night Mass
  • Epiphany blessing of homes where customary

Seasonal prayer suggestions

  • Prayer before the Nativity
  • Joyful Mysteries
  • Holy Family prayer

Seasonal works of mercy

  • Welcome others
  • Help a family in need
  • Visit the sick or lonely

Family and home ideas

  • Keep the creche in a visible place through the season.
  • Pray for each member of the family by name.
  • Choose one act of hospitality before the season ends.
  • Mark Epiphany with a simple home blessing or prayer over the doorway.