Today we celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Insofar as the Church fixes her conception as December 8, this would be exactly 9 months. I wonder how they came upon that date? Is it possible that Mary was indeed born on the 8th of September and they just did what my mother always taught me: count three months ahead?
This celebration is important not only for the role that Mary played in the life of Jesus, but it is also significant in the Roman calendar. To my knowledge, there are only three whose nativity is celebrated: Jesus, Mary and John the Baptizer. All other saints are recalled only on their feast day[s], which usually corresponds to their earthly death/heavenly birthday.
To celebrate a nativity is a special mark, noting that these people were set aside from their birth as a dwelling of the Holy Spirit. With Jesus, God-become-Man, it goes without saying. With John, we have a scriptural reference in Luke to his indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When Elizabeth his mother heard Mary approach, John lept for joy in his mother's womb.
With Mary, we have sacred tradition. It seems fitting that we should "ponder these things in our heart" when it comes to Our Lady.
15 years ago
3 comments:
Yesterday at Mass, Fr mentioned that the reason this date was chosen was because some big shrine/church was being dedicated to St. Anne in the 4th or 5th century. Seeing as how no one really knew the bday of Mary, they kept this on the Church calendar.
Isn't Church history funny?
Tracy: It certainly is. Just like the setting of Christmas and John's birthday. Christmas was selected in the dark of winter, after the solstice, to take over a pagan holiday [Saturnalia?]. Similarly, John's birthday, being 6 months earlier [see Luke] is after summer solstice.
But John said, "My light must decrease, so His might increase." And the church literally saw to that.
Hey Ruth -
I can't resist this...but Dad always used to say that the first baby can come any time....after that they take 9 months...
*grin*
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