We are in the midst of the Christmas Octave and we might sentimentally think that its features would be delightful pleasant, Gospels of joy and promise. And yet it is an Octave filled with blood as we shall see.
What is an Octave? But first, there may be some of you who wonder what is meant by and “Octave.” An Octave is a period of eight days wherein a feast of the Church is celebrated for that whole period as though it were all the same day. In the modern liturgical calendar we only observe two octaves explicitly: Christmas and Easter.
During the week following Christmas many of the prayers speak of today as though it were still Christmas. For example some of the prayers and antiphons say, “Today is born our savior, Christ the Lord.” A purist might say, but it is NOT today that he is born, it was back on Saturday the 25th that he was born. But, in certain sense this IS still Christmas day. Christmas Day is one long day of eight days from Saturday the 25th to Saturday January 1st.
It is the same with Easter where for one whole week we announce: “This is the day the Lord has made…”
Why eight days? Some say it is a reference to the eighth day on which Christ rose. I know, you thought it was the third day. But it was also the eighth day! For God made the world in seven days, resting on the seventh (Sabbath or Saturday). But Christ rose on the 8th day (Sunday). So resurrection morning is both the third day AND the eighth day! Others say the practice of the octave goes to Jewish times where some of the feasts (e.g. Dedication and Tabernacles (Booths)) were celebrated over 8 days.
In the old calendar there were more Octaves to include: Epiphany, Pentecost, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, Ascension Sacred Heart and others). Not all of these were privileged Octaves in which no other feasts could be celebrated. Easter and Pentecost were really the only two that blocked out all other feasts entirely. Others, like the Christmas Octave we are currently in allowed the celebration of other feasts but still referred to the feast of the octave as well.
So here we are in the Christmas Octave and, in a strong sense it is thus still Christmas Day. TODAY is born our savior Christ the Lord. This feast is so important that we stretch its observance a completed week and into the eighth day.
Bloody Octave – But one of the striking things about the Christmas octave is its bloodiness. It is one of the bloodiest weeks of the Church’s years. On Dec 26th, hardly have we digested our Christmas dinner, and we celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the Martyr who was stoned to death. On December 28th we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the young and infant boys who were murdered by Herod seeking to kill Christ. On December 29th we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas Becket who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral. Even St. (King) Wenceslaus of whom we happily sing “on the Feast of Stephen” was brutally killed by his brother.
Why all this blood, why this martyrdom? It is almost as though the red poinsettias that we put out in festive Christmas spirit look back to us in testimony. For it is clear that Jesus came to this world, ultimately to die. His crib (likely of wood) in which he was laid, arms and feet bound by swaddling clothes, points inevitably to the wood of his cross where, once again, his arms and legs were bound by nails and, after dying, he was wrapped tightly in a linen shroud.
The blood of the Christmas octave also reminds us that many of us too will share in Christ’s lot. This world hated Christ and had “no room for him.” Neither does this world have room for true Christians and the blood of martyrs stretches down through the centuries in testimony to the world’s hatred for authentic disciples of Christ and the truth they propose.
From this bloody octave the words of Christ ring out: If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (Jn 15:19). The martyrs of the Christmas Octave say, Amen. And John the Apostle whose feast also occurs in the Octave (Dec 27) also says Amen. For, though he did not suffer martyrdom he proclaimed his Amen also from his prison cell on Patmos: I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus (Rev 1:9).
Victory – But all these martyrs and sufferers (St. Stephen, St. John, the Holy Innocents, St. Thomas Becket, and St Wenceslaus) proclaim too the victory that is theirs with Jesus Christ who also said, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33). And again, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (Rev 2:10) Yes, Lord, the Spirit and the Bride say, Amen.
Did I wish you a merry Christmas?
Thank you for explaining these Octaves. I do not know why, but perhaps my mind has been on all the martyrs, but I really, really needed to read this tonight, esp. that last paragraph. Thank you.
Praise the Lord
Thank you for this article. Sometimes it’s hard to maintain the Christmas spirit during the octave, all due to our culture’s desire to move on to the next big thing-namely New Year. Articles such as yours remind me why I’m Catholic. A Blessed Christmas to you, Monsignor Pope!
And to you too. Thank you for reading.
Msgr,
Thank you so very much for this blog that teaches me so much! Most often it seems as if something was written just for me. I always discover something new to ponder in my faith walk or learn something I had never heard before. I just wanted to say thank you…
Tammy
Ah, thank you for reading!
Thank you Msgr for this column. Now if you could also send it to your brother priests so that they can understand what an octave is…As a priest yourself, you don’t have to go through what we laymen go through. In all my years going to Mass during the 2 octaves…not ONCE has the entire week gone by where the octave was commemorated properly. They leave out the Gloria, they don’t say “On this Easter DAY” in the Preface (a prominent archbishop of a major city said “In this Easter season” at his own instalation which was on Easter Wednsday. There is a little red sentence that says “On Easter and during the octave.” Ignored. I think I’ve heard a priest do that about three times in my life) etc. Yesterday the priest said, “We are still in the Christmas mood.” it’s almost completely ignored and it’s reasons go for nothing.
Historical note: Interestingly, the Christmas octave was a later addition, and it ranked below Epiphany and Pentecost. In fact, Epiphany was first and if you look at an old calendar, there are no feast days of saints during it. All for this is gone now (even in the Extraordinary form) but we still maintain the tradition of Saints feasts celebrated or commemorated during the Christmas octave, while they are not during the Easter octave.
Yes, yet’s spread the word on the octave!
Msgr., I too was struck by the violence and blood in the Christmas octave! In my homily for the Holy Innocents, I emphasized this point — Christmas is very warm and very sweet, but it is not the least bit sentimental. Christmas is spiritual warfare, it is the Light coming into the world to banish all darkness. I also emphasized that it would be too sentimental for us to “feel sorry” for the martyrs (even the Innocents), for they are victorious! Indeed, if only we were given so great a victory as Stephen (and Wenceslaus), John (the martyr who lived), the Innocents, and Thomas Becket.
I hadn’t made the connection between the red poinsettias and the red blood of the martyrs (and the red fire of charity) — I hope you don’t mind, but I will probably be stealing that from you for next years’ Christmas octave!
Christmas blessings!
Yes, let’s agree we can all steal material from eachother!
Don’t forget King David, who is commemorated in the martyrology on December 29th. It’s difficult to think of him without thinking of the blood on his hands as a result of the plot to kill Uriah the Hittite.
I was unaware of King David’s place on the calendar. THanks.
Msgr, On Jan 7th, I will be posting an article on my blog about why we should all be reading the Roman Martyrology — a huge part of this is will be about all the great OT saints who are commemorated (including David). Also, there is a very special feast of our Lord commemorated on the 7th of January … something which we would hate to miss, but might otherwise be unaware of …
Wow! Msgr. Pope, you have taken us into deep waters. I ask myself; “Why the Church would have these Martyrs as Scripture readings during the Christmas Season?’ Then I remember God sends everything into this world in pairs, opposits. As we enjoy the season of the coming of our Savior, we are tempered to remember that we are born to live, but Christ was born to die. So this must be the reason, as it says in 1 Peter 1:2 “Elect accordng to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you and peace be multiplied.” So we are reminded of the sprinkling of the blood, on the 8th day when Jesus first shed his blood through circumcision.
Additionally, Simeon, on the 8th day prophetised that many would (1) fall; and (2) rise. So the fall preceeds the rise. The Innocents fell 1st. Simeon also talks about the sword piercing Mary’s Heart, one of Her Seven Sorrows. So as we celebrate the the fact that Heaven is at hand, and God is with us, we are celebrating with a perspective of the Cross, and the Passion. As C. S. Lewis said in ‘Mere Christianity,’ “Jesus landed behind enemy lines.” When the Innocents were slaughtered, the battle begun. So the theme of blood, is that we are washed in “The Blood of the Lamb.” This is the time to repent for our sins, as we celebrate.
The Poinsettia is a scarlet red color, and I believe it is also poisonous. It is from the Genus of Euphorbia – Pulcherrima; Euphorbus is 1st Century Greek, translated to mean: “Physician.”
One topic or subject you, Msgr. Pope, have not touched on as a blog is our Guardian Angles. Just a thought.
Yes, thank you. THese are very valuable additions to the post.
Happy New Year Eve., Msgr. Pope. I want to ‘thank you’ for your many blogs throughout this last year, and to tell you how much I appreciate your writtings, because they have helped me to deepen my understanding of the Word of God. You have taught me how to keep the faith strong, and how to love God in a greater way then I ever have. So again, many thanks, and I am sincerly grateful to you for being a “Lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) I pray God provides you with a perfect gift, because you deserve it. (Signed;) Grandpa Tom.
Praise God and thank you for being such a good and regular part of this blog.
Yes, Msgr., you have wished me a merry Christmas, because you have led me on to seriously ponder on the deeper meaning of Christ’s birth. It is plagued with contradictions. On the one hand, are laughter and merriment; on the other, are the horrible events that you mentioned about the massacre of the Holy Innocents, the stoning of St. Stephen et al.
I am faced with the struggle of light and darkness, knowing that the victor is not Satan but Christ who continues to beam his light onto the world. I find it significant that, for example, in your past article, Herod looked at the Infant as a threat because of his fears, whereas, in another Gospel reading, Simeon was filled with joy when he beheld the Infant and blessed God. This makes me think as to how I really perceive this Child with all the bloodiness that is portrayed during the Octave of Christmas? As in the example of Herod who failed to see the Messiah, I ask myself: where does the darkness come from that makes me not see clearly? Does it come from outside or from within me? Then, onto another question: am I going against the light, and if so, in what ways?
So many things to ponder upon, but, certainly, an invitation to journey into the the hearts of the Magi, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna. These thoughts alone, Msgr., bring about the essence of Jesus’ birth and make Simeon’s words to the blessed Mother very meaningful: ” Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed (Lk 2: 34-35).” It is, indeed, a merry Christmas! Thanks so much for providing me an opportunity to delve deeper into myself. Praise God for you!
And thank you for reading and enocuraging me.
Msgr Pope,
I read your blogs everyday. Not sure how I discovered your blog a month or so ago but I’m sure glad I did . I’m from Toronto, Canada. Your blog is one of the blogs I read everyday. They’re very informative and helpful in enlightening and deepening my Catholic faith. Thank you! And God Bless. To all your other readers – a Healthy and Peaceful New Year!
Thank you for reading and for your encouragement!
I find it sad that two feast days of the Church have been changed; first, the Feast of the Circumcision, when the blood of Jesus was shed for the first time, was on the octave of Christmas – January 1st. Second, the old liturgical tradition of the twelve days of Christmas – from Christmas, the birth of Jesus, to the Feast of Epiphany, when Jesus was manifested to the gentiles/magi/wisemen/Kings, on January 6th, was changed to Sunday. Thus no more 12 days of Christmas. Talk about changes in the liturgy and liturgical traditions!
Amen. I will likely post on this too.
And a bloody merry Christmas to you too monsignor. Also, there is a conspriracy theory floating around that creation and cosmological events operate within the law of octaves that are mathematically demonstrated by algorithmic formulation and that is why music theory and harmonics, function based on the law of octaves. I don’t know if that’s a humanistic approach to rebuttal spirituality or empirically verify it. Johannes Kepler authored much of his research volumes based on this subject.The Lord works in mysterious ways.
My My My The music of the Spheres. Harmonia caeli
My Dear Monsignore.
Where I am now it is now the eve of 2010 and I would like to thank you for this year in wich I have followed your teachings with great joy.
It has meant a lot to me, as you have given me the opportunity to be a closer part of the Catholic church, alltough I am the only Catholic for miles and miles around in a non-catholic country in the north of the world.
Thank you.
On this last day of 2010 I would also like to put a smile on your face, if I may.
I would like to tell you the only joke I know.
It is a slightly different take on the gospel, so bear with me:
***
Little John was good and decent kid with only one fault. Mathematics. Whatever his mother did, or however hard she tried she could not seem to convey the mysteries of mathematics into her young childs mind.
No matter how hard she tried, Little John just would not, or could not, get it into his head. She was desperate, and knew not were to turn.
So, in her despair she looked to the Church, and then finally decided she would send her son to a catholic school, hoping the power of the cross would work a miracle in her little childs mind.
After his first day, little John came home from school. With a very stern face, he walked straight by his mother without saying hello and walked straight up to his room and closed the door.
A while later he finally came down, and as it turned out he had done his homework witch he handed to his mother.
His mother looked at it, and to her utter amazement she saw that he had not only done his mathematics by him-self, he had also done it perfectly. Not a single mistake, was to be found. Anywhere.
His mother was amazed and knew not what to say. This was beyond her wildest expectations.
Finally she gathered herself and turned to her son:
Little John this is amazing, how is it that you finally learned mathematics?
What was it that worked this miracle? Was it the Nuns? Was it the new books? Was it God?
What was it, my child?
Little John looked at his mother, still with a very stern look.
Then he spoke:
“Well, during the first lesson, when I saw that guy they had nailed to the plus-sign,
then I knew, these people mean business…”
Happy New Year.
To you Monsignore
and to all of Christendome.
Thank you for your always informative posts. As a music minister, I have always tried to musically connect Christmas with Easter, the crib with the cross, the house of bread (Bethlehem) with the Bread of Life. Here is a beautiful painting that I found on Pray Tell. It tells the story of incarnation, redemption, and paschal mystery.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/attributed-to-benedetto-bonfigli-the-adoration-of-the-kings-and-christ-on-the-cross
Happy New Year!
Talk about Bloody Octave!
Let us not forget that today Jesus was circumcised. This is the first shedding of the Blood of the Man-God.The drops that were shed on this day would have been enough to satisfy the Justice of the Eternal Father but the Babe’s heart would not be satisfied and his love took him to the Cross.