Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year, but what is the true meaning of Christmas? For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. read further…
The word ‘Christmas’ literally means ‘Christian Mass’; it’s a shortened form of Christ’s Mass.
Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations of the Christian faith. It’s also a celebration. It’s when we celebrate God’s love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. Jesus was born in order to pay the price for the things we have done wrong: sin. God sent his Only Son to be the atonement for all our sins so that we would not be separated from God. Without Jesus, we would all die for our sins. We inherited our sinful nature from the first human beings God created, Adam and Eve. While being fully God and yet fully man, Jesus came into the world as an infant to save us all.
Although people worldwide celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th, it was likely that he was born on a different month and date. The Church in the 4th century chose December 25th as it coordinated with the Solstice on the Roman Calendar.
For Catholics, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. We know that through belief in Jesus Christ we are daughters and sons of God. Heaven will one day be our home.
Perhaps this will help you look at the Christmas season differently this year. A chance to truly take in the wonder and awe of the season.
CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMASTIME TIMETABLE
in our three Parishes
| St Augustine | St Filumena | St Mary | |
| 24th December 2021 Friday Advent Feria |
9:30 | ||
| 24th December 2021 Christmas Vigil |
18:00 | 17:00 | |
| CHRISTMAS ‘Midnight’ |
21:00 | 00:00 (Midnight) | |
| 25th December 2021 Saturday CHRISTMAS DAY |
9:30 | 9:00 | 11:00 |
| 26th December 2021 Sunday FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Year C |
11:00 | 9:00 | |
| 27th December Monday Feast of St John, Apostle, Evangelist |
9:30 | 9:30 | |
| 28th December Tuesday Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs |
9:30 | ||
| 29th December Wednesday Feast of St Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr |
9:30 19:00 (Traditional Lain Mass) |
9:30 | |
| 30th December Thursday Sixth Day within Christmas Octave
|
9:30 | ||
| 31st December Friday Seventh Day within Christmas Octave
|
9:30 18:00 (Exposition) 19:00 |
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| 1st January 2022 Saturday SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD
|
9:30 18:15 |
17:00 | |
| 2nd January 2022 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY
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11:00 | 9:00 |