The Last Day of Christmas

Wait a minute Cloë I think you are trying to fool me and everyone else! I thought you said Christmas ended a few weeks ago with the baptism of Jesus?!

Well it did Tallulah, sort of. There are some in the Church who see this past Sunday as the official end of Christmas. Up until a few years ago, the Vatican kept their tree and crèche up until February 2nd.

So what is it about this day that says we are still in Christmas?

February 2nd is the feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the temple.

What?!

Let's read the Gospel story since it explains everything.

It was a rule among the Jews that the first boy child born to a family was to be taken to the Temple in Jerusalem. There his parents would make an offering to the Lord, to show that the child belonged to the Lord.  

When Jesus was forty days old, Joseph and Mary brought Him to the Temple. As an offering Joseph brought a pair of young pigeons to place upon the altar of the Temple.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Cloë, I also heard Fr. Jerome say that today's feast is very much connected to the importance of family.

Here are two easy ways to help you remember this important event in Jesus young life.

Visit the Catholic Inspired blog to download these pictures and you can act out the story.

The second thing you can do is colour this picture of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Then 
you can hang it on the wall of your bedroom. Click here to download the picture.

That's it for today - woof!

Cloë and Tallulah

Parents if you would like to know more about this feast day, here is a good video that tells the story and explains all about this Jewish tradition. 

(youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne9P-I90thE)