WHAT IS THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS ?: Just as we Christians have times of penance and preparation, so too we have extended periods, not just days, of celebration. The eight days of Christmas are one such (an octave) and the other period is the Easter Octave, the eight days following Easter Sunday. The Church is a wise mother who recognises that the Mystery of Christmas is too great a joy to celebrate on just one day and so the Church celebrates each day of the octave as another Christmas Day. Why eight days ? The number 8 represents perfection and rest. On the eighth day of the Octave of Christmas, the Mystery of Christmas reaches a synthesis on January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.