We ask you, urgently: don’t scroll past this
Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources—essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.Help Now >
The Tweleve Days of Christmas
Introduction
Part 1: Last Days of Advent
Blow Ye the TrumpeThe Heart and Center of the Christmas Mystery
The "O Antiphons"
Christmas Novena
Make Ready the Way of the Lord
Preparing the Gifts
Christmas Decorations
Christmas Greens
The Tree Decorations
Christmas Crib
Christmas Cookery
PART 2: The Vigil of Christmas
Be Ye Lifted UpIn the Morning You Shall See His Glory
Decorating the Tree
Blessing of a Christmas Tree
The Christmas Wreath
Christmas Eve Supper
No Room in the Inn
Enthroning the Child
Christmas Eve Prayers
The Exchange of Gifts
PART 3: Christmas Day
Christmas Theme SongThe Christmas Masses
Christmas Music and Stories
Christmas Drama for the Home
The Christ-Candle
The Christ-Guest
Christmas Meal Prayers
PART 4: Christmas to Epiphany
The Days Between Christmas and EpiphanyChristmas Night Prayers at the Crib
St. Stephen's Day
St. John's Day
The Holy Innocents
New Year's Eve
New Year's Day
PART 5: Epiphany
Be EnlightenedThe Meaning of Epiphany
Epiphany in the Parish
Epiphany in the Home
Epiphany in the Apostolic Group
"The Wise Men"--An Epiphany
Legend A Christmas Play
Acknowledgments
More Advent & Christmas
Advent & Christmas 2023
Begins Sunday December 3, 2023
Ends on Sunday December 24, 2023
"And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.'"
Christ the King
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Christ the King Day is a Catholic celebration that takes place on the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the Catholic faith. continue reading
Advent 2023 starts on Sunday December 3, 2023
Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas every year.Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
[holy day of obligation]
Friday December 8, 2023
![Image of Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media//14812140994558_150.jpg "Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary[holy day of obligation]")
Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, ... continue reading
Advent 2023 ends on Sunday December 24, 2023
Advent ends on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, every year.Christmas
Birth of Our Lord Jesus
[holy day of obligation]
Monday December 25, 2023
![Image of ChristmasBirth of Our Lord Jesus[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media//15226932365_150.jpg "ChristmasBirth of Our Lord Jesus[holy day of obligation]")
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. continue reading
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
[holy day of obligation]
Monday January 1, 2023
![Image of The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media/2022/16665677875_150.jpg "The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God[holy day of obligation]")
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ. continue reading
Epiphany
Saturday January 6, 2023
The Epiphany signifies the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. continue reading
Advent Reflections
Reflection for every day of Advent
Advent is a period of waiting, like Lent. We are called to obtain the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to pray and fast, as we await the arrival of our ... continue reading
Advent Calendar
Every day of Advent
An Advent calendar has become a tradition for many families when celebrating Advent and the Christmas season. continue reading
Advent Candle
24 Days of December
An Advent candle is a neat way to mark off the days until Christmas. Such candles are commonly found in churches and sometimes in homes. continue reading
Advent Wreath
Each Sunday of Advent
The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas Classes
14 Free Classes - Mobile Friendly
You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas PDFs
FREE - Printable - Catholic
Free Advent & Christmas PDFs for anyone, anywhere; Use in your Parish Church - School - Bulletin Inserts. continue reading
Christmas Gifts
Free Shipping $70+
Make This Christmas Special with Gifts from Catholic Online Shopping. continue reading
Nativity Scene
Holy Family
The Nativity Scene is a meaningful expression for our religious faith. With it, we provide a captivating visual focus during the Christmas season. continue reading
St. Nicholas
December 6th
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas. continue reading
Advent? What is it all about
The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming... continue readingThe Christmas Story
To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role." The angel Gabriel at the moment of... continue readingAdvent Daily Readings
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby... continue reading
More Advent & Christmas
Feast of the Epiphany - A Sunday Letter by Deacon Keith Fournier
My friends, brothers, and sisters in the Lord,On Sunday January 7, 2024 in the United States and many other Nations, we celebrate the Feast ... continue reading
The Deacon Saint Stephen the Proto-Martyr is a Model for all Christians
In the Catholic Church, Christmas is celebrated for eight days (Octave, from the Latin Octava) and opens up into a wonderful liturgical ... continue reading
Love is Born on Christmas Morn, and the World is Born Anew Watch
The Gospel passages proclaimed at the Vigil and the Midnight Mass of Christmas root the Nativity of the Lord, in the family history and ... continue reading
5 Ways to keep Jesus in your Christmas celebrations this year
Christmas is a magical time of year when decorations line the streets, children are suddenly behaving and the Post Office struggles to keep ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 22- The Fourth Sunday of Advent Watch
Advent Reflection - Day 22 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent This is the last day of this year's Advent preparations. Tonight, we greet the ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 21 - The Third Saturday of Advent Watch
Advent Reflection - Day 21 - The Third Saturday of Advent Within Mary's womb, our Savior stirs. The moment is near! The Holy Family turns ... continue reading
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Thursday, November 21, 2024
- St. Gelasius: Saint of the Day for Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- St. Edmund Rich: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Act of Adoration: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Daily Readings for Thursday, November 21, 2024
St. Gelasius: Saint of the Day for Thursday, November 21, 2024
Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, November 21, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
