Liturgical Living

Christmastide · December 25, 2026 – January 10, 2027

The Christmas season 2026–2027

Christmas is not a day but a season. It begins on Christmas Eve and runs through the Octave, the Solemnity of Mary on New Year's Day and the Epiphany, ending with the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, January 10, 2027.

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2026: a holy day of obligation. So is January 1, 2027 (a Friday).
Luke 2:10–11 (WEB)The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The dates, 2026–2027

The prayer of Christmas night

The collect of the Mass at midnight in the Missal of 1962, prayed for well over a thousand years:

LatinDeus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem veri luminis fecisti illustratione clarescere: da, quaesumus; ut, cuius lucis mysteria in terra cognovimus, eius quoque gaudiis in caelo perfruamur: Qui tecum vivit et regnat.
Our translationO God, who made this most holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light: grant, we pray, that we who have known the mysteries of that Light on earth may come to enjoy its joys in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you.

The Octave: eight days of one feast

For the Church, December 25 to January 1 is a single day of rejoicing stretched over eight. Every day of the octave keeps the Gloria at Mass, and the feasts that fall in it, St Stephen, St John and the Holy Innocents, are the "companions of Christ" who stand nearest the manger: a martyr by will and deed, an apostle who would outlive the rest, and children who died for him before they could speak.

John 1:14 (WEB)The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Epiphany and the blessing of homes

The Epiphany celebrates Christ shown to the nations in the Magi. An old custom marks the day by blessing the house: the family writes over the door, in blessed chalk, the year and the initials of the Magi's traditional names, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, which also stand for Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless this house": 20 + C + M + B + 27.

Matthew 2:10–11 (WEB)When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Keeping the season

Christmas season questions

How long is the Christmas season 2026–2027?

From the Vigil Mass on Thursday, December 24, 2026, to the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, January 10, 2027. Ordinary Time begins the next day.

Is Christmas 2026 a holy day of obligation?

Yes. Christmas is always a holy day of obligation and is never moved. In 2026 it falls on a Friday; since it is a solemnity, the usual Friday penance does not apply.

Is January 1, 2027 a holy day of obligation?

Yes. The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God falls on a Friday in 2027, so the obligation stands. In the US it is lifted only when January 1 falls on a Saturday or a Monday.

When is the Epiphany in 2027?

In the United States, Sunday, January 3, 2027. Where it is not transferred, it is kept on January 6.

When do the twelve days of Christmas start?

On Christmas Day. The twelve days run December 25 to January 5, with Twelfth Night on January 5 and the traditional Epiphany on January 6. The liturgical season itself lasts longer, to the Baptism of the Lord.

When should I take down the Christmas tree?

Catholic custom keeps the decorations up for the whole season, at least to the Epiphany (January 3 in the US) and often to the Baptism of the Lord (January 10). Some families keep the crib until Candlemas, February 2.

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