Monday Housekeeping
The long-lost Monday Housekeeping Post- everyday life at St. Augustine’s House –
Christmas Day is followed by its octave – eight days on which the Proper remains the same each day; eight days of Christmas. Then there is the time until the Epiphany of Our Lord, the famous “twelve days of Christmas”. Next the Baptism of Christ continues the story of the Incarnation of Christ, our Savior. Finally, February 2, The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (and the Purification of Mary), marks the real end of the Christmas observance.
As far as decoration at the monastery, most Christmas bits are taken down after the Epiphany of Our Lord, but some remain until February 2, the Presentation.