Still Christmas?

Yes, it is still the Christmas Season. So, ignore the stores that are putting out Valentine's Day decorations and summer attire. We are still in full Christmas mode. Catholics will typically start celebrating the season from the Vigil Mass, on Christmas Eve, to the Epiphany (January 6th). This time is also remembered as the Twelve Days of Christmas (days are counted from December 25th to the Eve of the Epiphany, December 5th). As you probably know, the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. This visit also represents the "revealing" of Jesus as the Lord to the rest of the world. The coming of the Three Kings is a sign that God came to save all men-- The Jews and Gentiles alike. So keep up your Nativity Scene and the light up the Christmas tree for a couple more days; there are three more gifts that have yet to be given--gold, frankincense and myrrh.