1. January And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:21 The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord – also called the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord. As Christ wished to fulfill the law and to show His descent according to the flesh from Abraham, He, though not bound by the law, was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Suggestions: attend Mass! On this day, all priests are given permission to celebrate three Masses…just perfect for a Holy Day of Obligation!  And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 Epiphany: January 6th is the Traditional Feast of Epiphany. This feast has also been called “Twelfth Night” (as it marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas), “Theophany” (as it is a revelation of the Divinity of the Christ Child), and “Three Kings Day” (in honor of the Magi who sought the Holy Child). Suggestions: In some households, children receive gifts left by the Magi or La Befana. As we observe the tradition of giving small gifts on this day, we are reminded that Christ received gifts from the Three Kings, (gold, frankincense and myrrh), gifts which prefigured His death and revealed His Divinity. Another noteworthy tradition is the traditional Epiphany House Blessing: Blessing of the Home on Epiphany This blessing of the home and inscription of the initials of the three Magi above each door can be performed either by a priest or the father of the family. The feast of manifestation, or Epiphany, is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th. On entering the home, Leader (Priest, if present, or father of the family) : Peace be to this house. All: And to all who dwell herein. All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. All Pray: The Magnificat. During the Magnificat, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed. After this is completed, All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Leader: Our Father. . . And lead us not into temptation All: But deliver us from evil. Leader: All they from Saba shall come All: Bringing gold and frankincense. Leader: O Lord, hear my prayer. All: And let my cry come to You. Leader: Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Leader: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee—Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary. All: And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee. Leader: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. After the prayers of the blessing are recited, each room of the home is sprinkled with Epiphany water and incensed. The initials of the Magi are inscribed upon the doors with the blessed chalk. (The initials, C, M, B, can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase
Christus mansionem benedicat
which means
Christ bless this house
.) Example: 20 + C + M + B + 06 The custom in Germany is that of the childrens' festival between January 1-6 (Three Kings Day). After a service at the churches the children go from house to house to gather offerings for poor children in poor countries. They are dressed as the three kings and carry sticks with stars on the top. At the homes they sing songs and recite messages of Christmas. At each house they paint the letters
20+C+M+B+06
which are for the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat (Christ bless this house). At the same time the letters are the first letters of the names of the wise men: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. — Christmas Stories from German Culture. Prayer Source: Twelve Days of Christmas, The by Elsa Chaney, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 1955 Notes:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ: 16 John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water: but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; Luke 3:15-16 Baptism of Our Lord: Notes:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Most Holy Name Of Jesus Holy Family St. Agnes St. Francis De Sales St. John Bosco Notes:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________