Feast of Immaculate conception

 Today 8th of December, celebrating the beautiful feast of Immaculate conception, not to  be confused as conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary....Immaculate- spotless/clean /innocent....Conception-conceived. So in other words, the Feast is all about the reminder of Mary is protected from sin even from the very first moments of her conception in her mother's womb..As you look at Liturgical calendar, Mary is conceived in St Anne's womb, following 9 months is Mary's birthday on September 8th.

God prepared Mary's soul to be worthy of being the mother of God.She is often referred as New eve without sin just like Eve was, but Mary was obedient and willing to follow God's will and trusting Him throughout her life.

There are so many beautiful ways to celebrate the day.

1. Attending  Holy Mass and say a small prayer , as this is a Solemnity. Light a candle and pray for someone in need today through Mary our mother too. Or to visit a Marian shrine if nearby.

2. If not,attend the virtual mass and a special day to read out  a book for children on Mary or for yourself....ie..Story of St Bernadette, Fatima children,Our lady of Guadalupe....Probably say an extra decade or a mystery if you can with your children. 

3.Something to do or practice a virtue. Practice learning the word from scriptures...'Rejoice,so highly favoured Lady,..The Lord is with you..'.Luke 1;28.

4. Craft or art can be excellent for this day. Themassbox has a little craft, to make a Marian grotto craft and some word search ,maze....or Catholic icing has a beautiful coloring page explaining Immaculate conception with an amazing illustration.A feltcraft can be made too. 

A Christmas ornament to do on this day to hang on your Christmas tree, make sure you have some old Christmas cards ready to cut and stick it using mod podge. Our kids used it a while ago .

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5.Great day to watch CCC movie titled 'Bernadette-The princess of Lourdes'. This kids version is available in FORMED.

6. Every feast day has something to do with a yummy delicious treat to serve or make. Have fun with some white treats. The feast is reminded of sinless/purity of Mary. Enjoy the day with vanilla ice cream or a desert with a puffy cream...which I gonna try later today.

7.Here is a beautiful resource explaining the doctrine to teach children about the Feast.

 'O Mary who conceived without original sin pray for us who have recourse to you' .