10. Why Christmas on December 25 and Immaculate Conception on December 8?
December 8
celebrates the Immaculate Conception of Mary, that is, our Catholic belief
that Mary, by God's grace, was conceived free of original sin. Mary's
birthday is celebrated on September 8, nine months later. Jesus'
conception is recalled at the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, which
is, of course, nine months before Christmas. Many people mistake
December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (of Mary) with the
Annunciation, the Feast of the (virginal) conception of Jesus by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
We invite your questions on Mary.
Send them to Father
at the Association.
The questions and responses 1-20 come from Catholic Home Study Service,
Rev. Oscar Lukefahr, C.M., Director. If you would like to enroll in a
free course of instruction in the Catholic faith, check out the
Catholic Home Study Service.
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