Christmas Season
Join us as we joyfully celebrate the Christmas season from December 25 to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 12, 2025. Learn about the feasts of the Christmas season and ways to celebrate.
Make sure to visit this page during the Christmas season for Archbishop Etienne's Christmas video, plus videos from Bishop Elizondo and Bishop Schuster.
Scroll down to learn more about each feast and solemnity.
Ways to celebrate through Jan. 12
- Keep the Nativity scene, tree and the lights up as reminders of the Christmas season.
- Play Christmas music, especially carols celebrating the birth of our Lord.
- Enjoy your favorite Christmas food and drink, giving thanks to God.
- Table topic: What is the origin of the Christmas tree? Read the article from Northwest Catholic
- Host a Twelfth Night celebration on January 5, the 12th day of Christmas.
Christmas season traditions
- Read the infancy narrative from the Gospel of Luke on Christmas Day, and pray Gracious Lord, Child of Bethlehem together.
- Bless your Nativity scene and rethink how you view it.
- Light the Christmas candle, or "Christ candle," every day (any white candle will do) during dinner.
- Support your parish outreach ministry or give to Catholic Community Services, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or Agape Service Project.
- Watch family Christmas movies. Read this list put together by Our Sunday Visitor.
What are the 12 days of Christmas?
The 12 days of Christmas are the days from Christmas Day to January 5 (or Twelfth Night), the evening before the traditional celebration of Epiphany on January 6.
Learn more about the feasts and solemnities of the Christmas season
St. James Cathedral
804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USAChristmas Eve Mass with Archbishop Etienne
Join Archbishop Etienne at Christmas Eve Mass on December 24 at 10 pm at St. James Cathedral. ...
All Parishes
710 9th Avenue, Seattle, WashingtonChristmas
Christmas, the Nativity of the Lord, is one of the most important solemnities of the Church year and a holy day of obligation. ...
St. James Cathedral
804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USAChristmas Mass with Archbishop Etienne
Join Archbishop Etienne at Christmas Mass on December 25 at 12 noon at St. James Cathedral. ...
Feast of Saint Stephen
St. Stephen was Christianity’s first martyr. As he was was stoned to death outside the city, he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ...
Feast of Saint John the Apostle
The feast day of St. John the Apostle, just two days after Christmas Day, is full of symbolic meaning. ...
Feast of the Holy Innocents
The Feast of the Holy Innocents remembers the massacre of young male children under 2 years old in Bethlehem by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. ...
All Parishes
710 9th Avenue, Seattle, WashingtonFeast of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph celebrates the Holy Family, the role model for all Christian families. ...
All Parishes
710 9th Avenue, Seattle, WashingtonThe Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, celebrated eight days following the birth of Christ, is a day honoring Mary as the Mother of God. ...
All Parishes
710 9th Avenue, Seattle, WashingtonEpiphany
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, is when we celebrate when the three kings who came from the east to pay homage to Jesus. ...
All Parishes
710 9th Avenue, Seattle, WashingtonFeast of the Baptism of the Lord
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 9 this year, officially marks the end of the Christmas season. ...
Christmas season resources for parishes and ministries
“And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13-14