Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas

by William P. Saunders Ph.D.

Overview

Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas is a treasure, one that offers its riches year after year. It is a valuable resource for understanding and celebrating Advent and Christmas as a Catholic. But, more than providing the historical roots of traditions, such as the Advent wreath and Christmas tree, it also features spiritual reflections and suggestions for practices to enrich your family’s Christmas preparation and celebration. 
 
You’ll find all of the major Feast Days of Advent and Christmas along with devotions and traditions that will help your family get more out these important seasons. 
 
Inside you’ll learn…

• why candles are placed in windows
• why poinsettias are used as a Christmas decoration
• the origin of the Christmas tree
• when Christmas actually ends
• and more

 
 . . . so that you and yours can appreciate more fully the significance of these traditions and grow in love and honor of Christ.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781505112573
Publisher:	TAN Books
Publication date:	10/22/2018
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Advent

What Is Advent? 7

The Origins of Advent 9

The Advent Wreath 11

Other Suggestions for a Good Advent Preparation 15

Special Feast Days During Advent 21

The Special Role of St. Joseph, the Silent Knight 53

The Octave Before Christmas 65

The Celebration of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas 77

The Christmas Tree 83

Christmas Greenery and Plants 93

The Christmas Crèche 99

Christmas Candles 109

Silent Night, Holy Night 113

December 25, the Birthdate of Jesus 119

The Feast of the Holy Family 125

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1 133

The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, January 3 139

The Epiphany, January 6 145

The Baptism of the Lord 159

Candlemas Day, the Feast of the Presentation, February 2 165

Postscript 169

About the Author 171

Bibliography 173

Editorial Reviews

“This could well be called the book that saved Christmas. In an age in which traditions are slipping away, Father William Saunders is offering families a chance to retain and sustain the true spirit of Christmas. His new book, Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas, is a gift to every family.”
               -Raymond Arroyo
                New York Times Best Selling Author of the Will Wilder Series
                EWTN News Host/Fox News Contributor
 


“This inspiring and wonderful book by Father Saunders contains spiritual insights that greatly aid our preparations for the celebration of the Solemnity of Christmas. Amidst the numerous distractions of the Season, Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas offers us the opportunity to remain spiritually focused on Advent…The book helps to renew the Christian heart with a joy-filled hope.”
               -Most Rev. Michael F. Burbridge, D.D.
                Bishop of Arlington
 


“Fr. William Saunders has written a wonderful book which communicates the spiritual richness and beauty of the great central mystery of our faith – the incarnation. The glory of our Catholic tradition surrounding this great feast is presented with clarity and insight. For all those who would like to deepen their appreciation and understanding of the joy of this season, I heartily recommend this fine work.”
               -Dr. timothy t. O’Donnell, STD, KGCHS
                President, Christendom College
 

From the Publisher