Penance at Christmas

[Pia]

As the Christmas season is a great celebration in the Church year, should we mortify ourselves at Christmas or not?

What are your thoughts, please.

Pia
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[Avernus]

Certainly over Advent we should...We are preparing for the Lord to enter into this world, and likewise more spiritually into ourselves. The Lord does not dwell in defiled temples, so we must do all that we can to chastise our weak wills before He comes.
On Christmas day itself, I feel it would be a rejection of the joys that arrive with our new-born Saviour to be penitential. It is, in my opinion (and that of the early Church) a sin to fast on a feast day, as it cuts you off from the universal celebration of the Church and the graces which can be gained from rejoicing in our Lord's presence. I would recommend Christmas eve be the high point of your penance, so that you expiate yourself (should you feel the need), before the coming of appearence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But on Christmas day itself, it is your Christian duty to feast, be joyous and spread good cheer. This is the day when the boy who would one day bring you salvation entered the world! On this day there can only be rejoicing - so prepare for it, by all means, with penance, but I would advise against a penitential Christmas.

Geoff

[Pia]

Thank you, Geoff ~ they were my thoughts also. To do penance during Advent, gradually more severely as the weeks go by, and then to desist from penance on Christmas day, St. Stephen's day and the Feast day of the Holy Family.

Has anyone any helpful suggestions on Christmas Eve mortifications (a little more severe than the usual) that are appropriate to the season?

Pia
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[Avernus]

Seeing as it's winter, it'd be a shame not to make use of the natural climate of penance which the Lord gives us. Have a shower, don't dry yourself, and then go sit outside at night in the garden for a few hours, awaiting the arrival of our Lord.
You shall feel like a Shepherd in no time, and therefore you shall be more able to appreciate the Lord when he appears in Bethlehem.

Geoff

[dominic]

In Advent I think Geoff is right. You shouldn't do penance at Christmas, but Advent should cleanse our bodies in penitence and fasting. Following the examples of many holy men once a week on Friday nights I go out into the open. I wear a hair shirt with thin shirt over it, a rope between my legs and round my neck, and shorts. Bare feet and bare knees. I kneel and prostrate myself for a fixed amount of time (I have a set of prayers if anyone would like them) and accept as my just deserts whatever it may please the Lord God to throw at me (wind, cold, rain).

Weather is a good example of God's ultimate power and of His just anger if we use it right.

Dominic

PS I am young (though not quite so young as Geoff!) and fit. This is not for those who can't.

[scott-m]

Hi Dominic,
I am interested in hearing more about your Friday penance and the prayers you say. I would like to do that as penance for Advent. I am also young and fit so I can take it. Thank you.
Scott

[mattsw11]

Dominic,

Like you I also go out to kneel and prostrate myself in this way. In substitute for the hair shirt I wear a rough smock made from hessian sack bound around the waist with rope, and like you, bare knees and bare feet, ideally on hard or frozen ground. I have read of others who, like you, use a rope between the legs, which also forces the head to bow, but have not tried this myself. I also flagellate myself, when I am called so to do, normally using a flay i have fashioned from a leather belt. I would rather use a discipline purchased from this site, but alas, not available at this time. I would be grateful if you would share your prayers?

Christos Penitentus

Matthew