Celebrating December in the Liturgical Year
- ashleytumlinwallac
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome, December!
The days grow short and the nights grow long. December draws us into mystery, of silence, of waiting, of wonder.
This is the month where the Church is hushed, candles flicker in expectant hope, and our hearts lean forward. It is a time of preparation and promise, of deepening darkness and the light that is coming.
We walk slowly through Advent now, week by week, candle by candle, until finally, in the stillness of night, the cry of a newborn breaks through the silence.
God with us.
I’m so glad we’re entering this holy month together.
Here’s an overview with helpful links:
December 6th - The Feast of St. Nicolas
December 13th - The Feast of St. Lucy
December 21st - The Feast of St. Thomas
December 24th - Christmas Eve
December 25th - Christmas Day
December 26th - The Feast of St. Stephen
December 27th - The Feast of St. John
December 28th - The Feast of the Holy Innocents
Current Season: Advent
On the last Sunday of November, we began the season of Advent. Here is a helpful article overviewing the season:
And check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Advent. It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the season of Ordinary Time in your home.
December 6th - The Feast of St. Nicholas
On St. Nicholas Day, we remember a bishop known not for grand displays of power, but for quiet acts of generosity, steadfast faith, and deep compassion. Nicholas of Myra, the real man behind the legends, gave without fanfare, protected the vulnerable, and pointed always to Christ. His life reminds us that holiness often looks like hidden faithfulness, slipping coins into shoes, feeding the hungry, standing up for the innocent. As we mark this day, we are invited to practice his kind of giving: humble, joyful, and rooted in love.
December 13th - The Feast of St. Lucy
On St. Lucy’s Day, we honor a young woman of radiant faith, whose name means “light” and whose witness shines in the heart of Advent’s darkness. Martyred for her unwavering devotion to Christ, Lucy reminds us that even in times of deep suffering, light is not overcome. Her story has been cherished for centuries, especially in Scandinavian traditions, where the eldest daughter dons a crown of candles and brings sweet saffron buns to her family. Today, we remember St. Lucy as a bearer of light, one who points us to the true Light of the world, and calls us to carry His light into the shadows around us.
December 21st - The Feast of St. Thomas
On the Feast of St. Thomas, we remember the apostle known for his doubt, but also for his devotion. Often called “Doubting Thomas,” he longed not just to believe with his heart, but to see with his eyes and touch with his hands. His honest questions led to one of the clearest confessions of faith in all of Scripture: “My Lord and my God.” Tradition tells us that Thomas carried the Gospel far beyond the Roman Empire, bringing the Good News to India and planting seeds of faith that still bear fruit today. His life reminds us that doubt is not the enemy of faith, but often its beginning, and that Christ meets us in our questions with grace and truth.
December 24th - Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, we stand on the edge of mystery. The long waiting of Advent draws to a close, and the Church grows hushed with holy anticipation. It is the night when heaven touches earth, when the eternal Word prepares to be born in time. In candlelit churches and quiet homes, we keep watch with shepherds and angels, waiting for the cry of a newborn King. This night is filled with promise and wonder, a reminder that God comes not with noise or spectacle, but in the stillness, in the dark, in the form of a child.
December 25th - Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, joy breaks into the world like light at dawn. The waiting is over, Christ is born! Heaven and earth rejoice as the Word is made flesh and dwells among us. This is the day when God enters our story not with power or prestige, but wrapped in humility and love. The manger becomes a throne, and the cries of a baby echo the hope of all creation. Today, we celebrate the miracle of the Incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us, and give thanks for the love that took on flesh to save and redeem.
December 26th - The Feast of St. Stephen
On St. Stephen’s Day, the joy of Christmas meets the cost of discipleship. As the Church celebrates the birth of Christ, we also remember the first martyr, the first to follow Jesus all the way to the end. Stephen, full of grace and power, bore witness with courage and forgave with love, even as stones fell. His feast reminds us that the light of Christ shines brightest through lives poured out in faith. Today, we honor his boldness, his mercy, and the call to love our enemies, even in the face of suffering.
December 27th - The Feast of St. John
On St. John’s Day, we remember the beloved disciple, the one who leaned against Christ at the Last Supper, who stood faithfully at the foot of the cross, and who was entrusted with the care of Mary. John’s Gospel speaks of light and love, of the mystery of the Word made flesh, and of the deep, abiding truth that we are known and loved by God. Unlike the other apostles, John was not martyred, but he bore witness through a long life of faithful testimony. Today, we give thanks for his bold love, his poetic vision, and the way his words continue to draw us closer to the heart of Jesus.
December 28th - The Feast of the Holy Innocents
On the Feast of the Holy Innocents, we remember the little ones of Bethlehem, children who were caught in the cruelty of power and fear, and whose lives were lost in King Herod’s attempt to destroy the Christ Child. Though they were too young to speak or understand, the Church honors them as the first martyrs, innocent witnesses to the coming of Christ. Today is a tender and solemn day, one that invites us to hold space for grief, to pray for all vulnerable children, and to long for the day when every tear will be wiped away. Their lives, though short, echo the Gospel truth: even the smallest among us bear the image of God.
Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions!
Quick reminder - we are now at the very beginning of the Christian liturgical year. Keep up with every new season, feast and fast day with the 2025-2026 Liturgical Home wall calendar! Or 2025-2026 Liturgical Planner
