The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

I'm not afraid to admit that up until the past few years I always thought on December 8th (Note: In 2024 the Holy Day is being observed December 9th) we were celebrating Christ's Conception.  You are never too old to be wrong.  And in this case I was wrong.  We are actually remembering on this date that Mary was also conceived without sin.

Mary is an important figure.  She is even called in the Quran as the greatest woman to have ever lived.

 

I understand one of the things that separates Catholics from other Christians is our level of devotion to Mary.  To some it seems we think of her as almost Godlike. But I always say we worship God alone as the 1st Commandment instructs is to do,  while we honor Mary for her role in the redemption of the human race.

So why did Mary need to be conceived without sin? I think of it this way.

Eve was created without sin, was tempted by a (fallen) angel, Satan, and in doing so doomed the human race with original sin.

Mary is the new Eve. In order for Mary's story to parallel Eve's, Mary was also needed to be conceived without sin, be approached by an Angel, Gabriel, to give give herself for the redemption of the world from original sin.

Today, I believe as Christians, whether or not we think Catholics devote too much to Mary, we should all take a moment to thank her for saying "Yes" to the Angel Gabriel and brought Jesus into the World.