Church of St. Matthew

A visible expression of God's love

  • Home
  • Mission & News
    • Parish Pastoral Council
    • Parish Bulletins & Inserts
    • Staff & Programs
    • Safe Environment
    • Volunteer Opportunities & Parish Needs
    • Liturgical Ministry
    • Music Ministry
    • Funeral Ministry Opportunities
    • Facility Rental
    • Parish History
      • Our History
      • Fr. Steve Homilies
      • West Side Paintings
      • 50th Anniversary of 1968 Church Fire
      • 50th Anniversary of Our Church Building
    • Men’s Club
    • Rosary Society
      • Funeral Ministry Opportunities
    • Serving Our Neighbor
      • Casa Guadalupana
      • Loaves and Fishes
      • St. Mary’s Health Clinic
  • Worship
    • Mass Times & Reconciliation
    • Worship Online
    • Online Mass videos
    • Funeral Planning and Liturgies
  • Faith & Learning
    • Sacrament of Baptism
    • Faith Formation
    • Community of Saints School: Pre-K through 8
    • The Good News newsletter
    • Safe Environment
  • Alums-Family-Friends
    • About Alums & Family & Friends (AFF)
    • AFF Committee
    • The Good News newsletter
    • How to Give to Community of Saints School
    • Alums Scholarship Fund
    • Scrip Fundraising
    • Missing Alums List
    • Class Reunions
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Advent and Christmas / Reflection from Father Steve – December 4, 2022

Reflection from Father Steve – December 4, 2022

The Christmas Season begins at various times in various places. In northern Europe the Christmas Season begins on the Feast of Saint Martin, November 11th. This time of preparation for Christmas is known as ”Saint Martin’s Lent.”

In southern Europe the Christmas Season begins on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6th or the Feast of Saint Lucy, December 13th.

These times mark the time of the final harvest and the time live stock are brought to market. In the northern regions this occurred a month before the final harvest occurred in the south.

It was a time to feast. There was no refrigeration, so meat had to be preserved by smoking or salting. Fresh meat had to be consumed before it would spoil or rot – hence a time to gather and celebrate.

In Europe these are still the times for the opening of the annual Christmas Fairs.

The liturgy of the Church enters into the full preparation for the Christmas Season on December 17th – the octave before the Feast.

In my childhood home this was the time my mother would finish up the Christmas baking. The beginning of the Christmas baking took place in the early spring when the fruitcake was made. It was then wrapped in cloth soaked in brandy and stored in a cool place for the nine months before Christmas Eve, when it would make its appearance – the announcement of the Christmas Feast and Season.

What are the traditions in your home for the preparation of the Feast. Is there decorating or gift-wrapping? Do you use the Advent Wreath to mark down the weeks before Christmas? Do you spend rehearsal time in preparation for a Christmas concert?

Remember, Christmas is not only a Feast, it is most importantly a Season, and there can be much to be done to prepare to keep the Season.

Father Steve Adrian

  • Share this page to Facebook
  • Share this page to Twitter

Published December 3, 2022. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Twitter

Parish Bulletins

Download bulletins and inserts

Online Mass Videos

Online Masses as individual posts

Recent Posts

  • Parish Administrator’s Note – January 29, 2023
  • Upgrade the Electrical Box: $150,000 Fundraiser
  • Reflection from Father Steve – January 29, 2023
  • Volunteer Opportunities and Parish Needs for the week of 1-29-2023
  • Lector Workshop: Proclaiming the Good News! February 4, 2023
  • Volunteer Opportunities and Parish Needs for the week of 1-22-2023
  • Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Family Concert – Peter and the Timberwolf, with Hip Hop, History and the Arts – 2/5/2023
  • Faith Formation News, January 22, 2023
  • Liturgical ministry scheduling for Ash Wednesday – May 28
  • Parish Administrator’s Note – January 22, 2023
  • Reflection from Father Steve – January 22, 2023
  • Volunteer Opportunities and Parish Needs for the week of 1-15-2023
  • Isaac’s Blessing Bags 2022 – Thank You
  • Parish Administrator’s Note – January 15, 2023
  • Faith Formation News, January 15, 2023

See all blog posts

Blog Categories

  • Advent and Christmas
  • Alums & Family & Friends
  • Catholic Leadership
  • Class Reunions
  • Community of Saints School
  • Community Service
  • Faith Formation / Religious Education
  • Fall Festival
  • Food events
  • Fr. Steve's Reflections
  • Free food
  • Fundraising and Donations
  • General News
  • Gospel Readings
  • History
  • Homilies Weekly
  • Job Fair
  • Lent and Easter
  • Liturgical Ministry
  • Maintenance and repair
  • Memorials and Dedications
  • Men's Club
  • Messages from Fr. Bob
  • Music
  • Parish Pastoral Council
  • Pastoral Ministry
  • Prayer and Adoration
  • Reflection
  • Rosary Society
  • Sacraments
  • Scouts
  • The Good News newsletter
  • Vocations/Religious Life
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Worship
  • Youth Ministry

Subscribe to us!
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Site development and design by Schletty Design • Contact if you have trouble using this website.