Very Merry 8th Day of Christmas

Merry 8th Day of Christmas and Happy, Blessed New Year! 

Many of the posts I see on social media for the last couple of days show people busy packing away Christmas decorations and moving forward with their New Year’s resolutions. January 1st marks both the Eighth Day of Christmas and the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. I like the connection between the joy of the Nativity and the fresh new year. This feast day, one of the oldest Marian feasts, celebrates Mary as the mother of God; and it reaffirms that baby Jesus, born in a manger, is truly the son of God. 

For many years, I celebrated this day by attending morning Mass with my mother. It is one of the traditions I miss the most each year since she passed away in 2021. I continue the tradition as a way to honor her memory.  

There is never any fanfare at Mass on this day, such as with Christmas Eve or Christmas day. However, there is a peaceful sort of joy in attending Mass at the start of the year. It is still beautiful to attend on my own, but I definitely miss going with Mom.  

While the Seventh Day of Christmas represented creation, sort of representing the old world, the Eighth Day represents a world made new. At Mass this morning I considered a couple of questions. First, what is the “new” that I will welcome into my life this year? Second, how will I carry the joy, light and peace of the Christmas season into the rest of the coming months? 

As I consider these two questions, I will continue to enjoy our Christmas decorations well into this new month. I will let our twinkly Christmas lights encourage some ongoing reflection in these dark days of January!  

Why maids a-milking on the Eighth Day of Christmas? 

This is to recall the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) 

• Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
• Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
• Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
• Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

The eight Beatitudes are guides we can all use to help bring love and kindness to those we meet and care for in our daily lives. I will try to let these teachings inspire me to share Christ’s love with everyone and perhaps bring a little Christmas joy to others throughout the new year. I think I found my intention for the year! 🙂 

I wish all readers a blessed New Year! 

Merry Christmas, 
Karen 

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#SolemnityofMary 
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