| Mon Dec 8 | am: 25 pm: 9, 15 | Gen 3:9-15 | Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 | Luke 1 26-38 |
The Feast of the Conception by Blessed Ana of the Most Holy Theotokos (East) or The Commemoration of the Conception of Mary, the Mother of Our Lord (West)
ON THE LITURGICLA CALENDAR, The Feast of the Conception of Mary on December 8th began in the Eastern Church (7th century), honoring St. Anne‘s miraculous conception, spreading West by the 8th century, becoming the Immaculate Conception by the 11th century, celebrating Mary being safeguarded from original sin from her conception. While this was an idea for centuries in the wider church, it became a doctrine formally defined by the Roman Church in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. While the East focused on the conception as special, the West developed the sinless aspect, leading to distinct theological understandings, though both celebrate Mary’s unique purity leading to Christ’s birth.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION The lessons today are from the Eucharistic lectionaries in the Western and Western Traditions, highlighting the feast day as a profound gift for us who are making the Advent Journey. This day, observed by many Christians in the East and West, is perfectly timed as we begin our season of preparation, turning our minds to the two great figures of expectation who paved the way for the coming of Christ: John the Baptist and Mary.
The readings today resound with affirmations of God’s gracious love, a love showered upon Mary and, through her, upon all who believe in her Son. We celebrate the conception of Mary by her mother Anna and father Joachim. Through the grace of God, St. Anne bore the one who was “blessed amongst all women.” Mary, in turn, would go on to conceive the Logos, the very One whose coming we eagerly await during Advent. Her story is a powerful lesson in receiving and responding to God’s unexpected grace, serving as our model as we prepare our own hearts.
While many view this as a Roman Catholic feast, its core message of expectation and Marian devotion resonates across the Church. For instance, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church also observes this feast—known as “Qoeserata”—with great chanting of Marian hymns. This wide observance highlights the universal importance of Mary as the vessel of the Advent promise. In essence, this feast offers a renewal of hope as we recall how God first prepared a home for the Divine Word within Mary. It reminds us that God’s gracious love is not just a historical event but a present reality, urging us to live with the same faith and expectancy as Mary and St. Anne as we await the Lord’s birth.
PRAYER: Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY – There is a special treat on this day that comes from the Moravians, and it is called Spritz (gingerbread cookies, loaded with fine, aromatic spices). These are mixed on the vigil, December 7, and shared with friends and family on the 8th. Consider meditating on the mystery of this gift from God by praying the Angelus http://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Cotidiana/Angelus.html if that is not practical or in line with your spirituality. Consider meditation on this contemporary meditation found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66zUY8UZn4M.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “By obeying, she became a cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” – St. Irenaeus (From his treatise on Against Heresies III).
A SONG OF THE HEART, SONG FOR THE SEASON: Sing of Mary