Dec 8th marks the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This is not the conception of Jesus, it is about the conception of Mary to St. Anne & Joachim (who's feast day is July 26th). She was conceived without sin, she is immaculate! This is a big deal, because this doctrine recognizes the fact that Mary was born pure, without original sin, a perfect vessel for the Christ Child. Here are some simple activities you can do with your family to reflect and celebrate!
We will come to learn that just as God chose Mary for this unique purpose, we are also chosen for a purpose and were created and exist out of pure love of God. We should all look to The Immaculate Conception as a model of living in purity, modesty, and grace.
Mary’s Song of Praise Luke 1:47-55 (The Magnificat)
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
*Attend Mass - it's a Holy Day of Obligation!
Short Articles to Read
{A reflection on the readings today from the Vatican}
{Why Catholics believe in the Immaculate Conception of Mary}
{Ascension: The Immaculate Conception Explained, video}
Sing about Mary
Acts of Charity
Donate to your local prolife organization or women's clinic to help new mothers and their babies.
Make a meal to bring to a new mother.
> Teach your children their faith while they are young and innocent. Take a look at my Prayer Book for Children
Crafts about Mary
Stitching Saints
Embroider St. Anne and Mary on a dishcloth for your kitchen.
Baking Gingerbread
While you're in the kitchen with your new dishtowel, let's get baking! I've read in a few places the idea of making Gingerbread Cookies to recall the sweet fragrance of Mary noted in Scripture.
Sirach 24:20-21 "I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm; I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh; and I perfumed my dwelling as store, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odor is as the purest balm."
Color Our Lady of Lourdes
Other Craft Ideas
>Make an Our Lady of Fatima Diorama
Or make a Marian Grotto, with so many ideas online.
>Color the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
Lessons on Modesty and Purity
This is also a great opportunity to talk to your children about modesty, chastity and being pure. I have a long list of ideas on my Pinterest board if you want to look that over {HERE}.
Modest Mandy
Modest Mandy has clothes that are not glued on. They slide on and off for the modest fashion show. She is so much easier to get dressed than all those plastic dolls with arms! This is from a very old post of mine, but still a favorite.
Take large craft sticks (tongue depressors, popsicle sticks) and draw/paint characters on them. Decorate with scrapbook paper, decorative tape, stick-on jewels, glitter, etc.
Think about.... What Would Mary Wear (WWMW)??
Recommended Books on Purity and Virtue:
AGES 4-12
The Princess & The Kiss [guide], or The Squire & The Scroll [guide] by Jennie Bishop
AGES 9-14
Made for Greatness: A Growth Mindset Journal for Courageous Catholic Youth
Be Yourself! A Journal for Catholic Girls
Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Boys
Olivia's Gift by Nancy C Belanger (also, Olivia and the Little Way)
AGES 13-25
You: Life, Love and Theology of the Body
If You Really Loved Me by Jason Evert
Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ, not Conformed to the World by Teresa Tomeo
Life Changing Love, a novel, by Theresa Linden
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I hope you were inspired! Please share what you liked, new ideas, etc - I would love to know what my readers are thinking!