In the fourth century, Christians were asked to mark December 17 as the beginning of a twenty-one day period, ending at the Epiphany, in which they focused on the great mystery unfolding in the life of the church, the mystery of God incarnate in human flesh. They were asked to turn themselves away from distraction, from either staying at home and losing themselves in domestic chores, or traveling and being continually stimulated by the change of scenery. Christians were to seek out the church as a place where they could gather as a community not merely to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but to allow the power of the Incarnation to penetrate their lives. (Kathleen Norris,  God with Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas)