While much of the secular world has long since moved on to New Year’s resolutions and winter sales, St. Peter’s Square remains a beacon of the holiday season. The Vatican has confirmed that the 2025-2026 Christmas tree and Nativity scene will remain on display until Sunday, January 11, 2026.
This date is not chosen by chance; it marks the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the official liturgical conclusion of the Christmas season in the Roman Catholic Church.
A Season Beyond Twelve Days
For many, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" ending on Epiphany (January 6) is the standard cutoff. However, the Vatican follows the liturgical calendar of the Ordinary Form, which extends the celebration through the first Sunday after Epiphany.
The 2025-2026 Display: This year’s centerpiece is a majestic 27-meter (88-foot) fir tree from the Ultimo Valley in Italy’s South Tyrol province.
The Nativity: Positioned at the foot of the ancient Egyptian obelisk, the scene was donated by the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno. It features traditional elements from the Campania region, honoring St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.
The Jubilee Context: The 2025–2026 season is particularly historic, as it coincides with the Holy Year (Jubilee). Pope Leo XIV officially closed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, but the festive symbols in the square remain to welcome pilgrims through the final days of the liturgical season.
The Meaning of the Baptism
The decision to keep the decorations until January 11 highlights the theological transition from Christ’s birth to his public ministry. In Catholic tradition, the "Christmas Cycle" includes:
The Nativity: The birth of Christ (Dec 25).
The Epiphany: The manifestation to the Magi (Jan 6).
The Baptism: The manifestation of Jesus' divinity as he begins his mission.
Tradition vs. Modern Liturgy
Interestingly, the Vatican bridges two traditions. While the "official" season ends on January 11, some visitors may notice that certain decorations in Rome linger even longer.
Until the mid-20th century, the Christmas season traditionally lasted 40 days, ending on February 2 (Candlemas). While the Vatican now officially switches to "Ordinary Time" and green vestments in mid-January, the presence of the tree until the Baptism of the Lord serves as a bridge between the rapid pace of modern life and the deep, slow-burning traditions of the Church.
0 comments:
Post a Comment