Late December Saints
January Saints
Religious Christmas
Secular Christmas
Epiphany
100
The restoration of the Catholic Church in Germany after the Protestant Reformation is largely attributed to the work there of the Jesuits, which Saint Peter Canisius led. Today he is venerated as a saint (feast day: 21 December) and as one of these people recognized for having made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study, or writing.
Doctor of the Church
100
The Blessed Mother is honored on the octave day of Christmas. However, before 1960, the day commemorated this event, which fulfilled a Jewish commandment and saw the first shedding of our Lord's Blood, as well as his formal reception of his name.
Circumcision of the Lord
100
In the Nativity story, these were the first people to receive the news of Jesus’ birth.
Shepherds
100
The first *Vatican* one of these was erected in St. Peter's Square in 1982.
Christmas Tree
100
In Spain and Latin America, children often receive these on Epiphany instead of Christmas.
Gifts
200
This deacon and protomartyr is celebrated on the day after Christmas.
Saint Stephen
200
January 2nd sees the feast day of two of the four Great Greek Fathers: Basil the Great and this Gregory.
Nazianzen / of Nazianzus
200
Between Christmas and the Annunciation, this holiday was celebrated first and used to calculate the date for the other.
The Annunciation
200
This 1946 Christmas classic, and entry on the Vatican movie list, tells the story of George Bailey and his guardian angel, Clarence.
It's A Wonderful Life
200
These were the three gifts brought by the magi.
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
300
This especially-liked apostle, who is believed to have died of natural causes in Ephesus, is celebrated on December 27th.
St. John
300
This religious order celebrates it's titular feast, The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, 10 days -- and not 8 -- after Christmas.
The Society of Jesus
300
This emperor decreed that all people should be taxed, leading to Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.
Caesar Augustus
300
A legend about the origin of this Christmas treat tells us that a crook was added to the top of each stick, which would help children remember the shepherds who visited the infant Jesus. In addition, the white color would teach children about the Christian belief in the sinless life of Jesus.
Candy cane
300
A popular Epiphany tradition involves blessing this part of the home with chalk inscriptions.
Door
400
This group of people, massacred on the order of Herod I, is remembered on December 28th. This day is also known as Childermas.
The Holy Innocents
400
This foundress of both the first Catholic girls' school in the nation as well as the first American congregation of religious sisters, would go on, in 1975, to become the first person born in what would become the United States to be canonized. Her feast day is January 4th.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
400
The words to this 1818 Christmas carol were originally written in German by Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr.
Silent Night
400
In AD 274, the emperor Aurelian revived the cult of this god, born on December 25th, and promoted him as the chief god of the empire.
Sol Invictus
400
The word “Epiphany” comes from a Greek word meaning this.
Manifestation or appearance
500
Pope Silvester I, who is celebrated on the last day of the year, convened this council, which opened nearly 1,700 years ago.
Council of Nicaea
500
This Canadian is credited with thousands of reported healings associated with his pious devotion to Saint Joseph. When he died in 1937, one million people filed past his coffin. His feast day is celebrated on January 6th in the United States.
Saint André Bessette
500
A plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, is granted to those who devoutly receive this blessing, imparted by the Pope on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
Urbi et Orbi
500
The hat worn by Santa Claus looks suspiciously like this hat worn by the pope during the winter in place of the zucchetto.
Camauro
500
The Magi’s journey to honor Jesus fulfills this prophet’s vision of nations bringing gifts to the Messiah.
Isaiah