This weekend, the church celebrates the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Forty days after His birth, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple for rites of purification and dedication. This customs comes from the Old Testament book of Leviticus. A woman who bore a male child, was considered “unclean” for seven days. On the eighth day, the boy was circumcised. The mother then stayed at home for 33 days for her blood to be purified. After the 40 days (7 days of being unclean+33 of blood purification = 40), the mother and the father bring the child to the temple for the Jewish rite of “Purification” and dedication to God. For the Eastern Rite Catholics and some ethnic cultures, this weekend’s feast of the Presentation also ends their Christmas season. The reason it marks the last Liturgical celebration connected with “Baby Jesus.” Jesus is still a baby when He is presented in the temple on the feast of the Presentation. The Roman Rite concludes the Christmas season with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The USCCB explains, “The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him…” I myself wish the season would never end! Christmas is my most favorite time of the year and I pray we can continue that same love, generosity, and giftgiving spirit every single day of our lives. Fr. Roach
