• Christmas Prayers
• Praying with the Aftermath of Christmas
• Praying for Peace with Mary and Elizabeth
• Letting Christmas Become a Season
• How Holy Can My Family Be ?

• Epiphany Proclamation, 2009

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• Celebrating Christmas Home Page

We have two Calendars
for the Second Week of Christmas because in the United States Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday that falls between January 2nd and January 8th. Most of the rest of the world - especially in cultures where Epiphany is as important, if not more important, than Christmas itself - celebrates Epiphany on January 6.

A number of other changes occur because of this difference, so we respect the integrity of both calendars in our daily prayers for each day of the Christmas Season. International readers please note that while the scripture and reflection links may have a different date at the top of the page, they are the correct readings for the day.

Entering this second week
of the Christmas Season

January 1st is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace, and since it is commemorating the naming day of Jesus, it is the feast from which the Society of Jesus takes its name.

Whether we are celebrating Epiphany on the actual feast day or gathered together for a Sunday celebration in the U.S., we are still able to draw great fruit from reflecting upon the readings and prayers of the days before Epiphany or the days after Epiphany.

But it is wonderful to pay attention to several themes throughout this week. The first letter of John fills this week with the language of God's love for us. This leads to simple, but deep, reflection on the love we must have for our brothers and sisters. The celebration of and preparation for Epiphany colors the week with images of light, and a number of themes related not only to revelation and seeing, but also to baptism itself. Throughout this week, we ask for graces and continue to celebrate with joy.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

January 4 - 11
Daily Prayer