Scripture and homily in brief for the Feast of Eligius, the first of the 12 Days of Gold of the Christmas Season.

Revelation 1:12-13

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

A Sermon of St. Eligius

“It is not enough, my beloved friends, to have adopted the Christian name, if you do not bring forth Christian works; for to be called a Christian only profits him who constantly keeps Christ’s doctrines in his heart, and manifests them in his life…”

The Reform begins the Christmas Season with the Feast of Eligius, patron of goldsmiths, on December 1st, the first of the 12 Days of Gold.  (This is also the calendar date for Advent/Annunciation, which will be celebrated on the Ultimate Thursday of the dozenal.)

Gold is an important symbol for this opening dozenal of the Christmas Season, as we celebrate Mary who was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, also known as Wisdom and El Shaddai in the ancient faith of Israel, the feminine presence of God.  As the First Temple’s lampstand/tree, the ancient symbol of the Holy Spirit of God, was made of gold so do we honor the Lady Miriam, Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, with decorations of gold.

CRÈCHE PROGRESSION: Now is the time for unlit Christmas decorations, and for placing Mary and the Angel in the crèche!