Christmas Cycle

The Christmas cycle or Christmas circle is the first period of the liturgical year. This period begins with the first Sunday of Advent (end of november/early december) and lasts until the fourth Sunday afterEpiphany (early February).

The Christmas cycle consists of the following religious holidays:

After the Christmas cycle begins the regular time throughout the year before the Easter cycle comes.
 * Sint Maarten (11 november): 40 days for Christmas, first light Festival, at the beginning of lent
 * First advent Sunday (Levavi): expectation of the return of the Messiah.
 * Second advent Sunday (Populus Sion): forecast the birth: Johannes calls for repentance
 * Third advent Sunday (Gaudete): forecast the birth: Johannes announces the Messiah.
 * Fourth advent Sunday (Rorate): looking to the birth of the Messiah.
 * Christmas (25 december): solemnity of the birth of the Lord
 * Boxing Day (26 december): solemnity of the birth of the Lord
 * Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday under the octave of Christmas)
 * Solemnity of Mary mother of God (1 January, octave day of Christmas);
 * Solemnity of the Epiphany or three kings or Epiphany (6 January, but is in the liturgy celebrated on the first Sunday after 1 January if January 6 on a weekday)
 * Baptism of Jesus (first Sunday of the year)
 * Candlemas (2 February): feast of the presentation of the Lord in the temple and the purity of Mary.