Putting things in perspective: The Annunciation and Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ
with feedback

Has anyone else every wondered why the Church celebrates Christmas with so much joy and glory?

Wait now, hear me out. I'm not saying that the first epiphany or manifestation into the world of Our Lord isn't a great Christian celebration and shouldn't be celebrated as such. I've been wondering though, for us Catholic Christians who believe that life begins at the moment of conception, why don't we celebrate the Annunciation with an even greater fever than Christmas.

The Annunciation is when Divinity and Humanity were brought together, wasn't it ?

When did Jesus, Our Lord first have flesh and bones, at birth? ... NO at conception! As THE Church Christ founded, what are we saying about the importance of human life before birth when we celebrate Christmas with more fever than the Annunciation? If the Annunciation falls on a Monday or the preceding Saturday, it may NOT even be a Holy Day of Obligation according to a recent decision by the Catholic bishops in America that was approved by Rome.

What are all practicing Catholics, from the Pope, Cardinals, bishops, priests to the lay parishioners saying to the secular world when we don't recognize the humanity of Christ from March 25th through December 25th, nine months later? Jesus was really and truly alive during this period of time. He was not just miraculously born on Christmas Day by some instance miracle. Nevertheless as THE Church we do nothing liturgical during this nine-month period of time to emphasize our pro-life position.

As a cradle Catholic I believe there is something we have to liturgically do from March 25th through December 25th to remind US and the secular world that being Catholic Christians means celebrating life liturgically at conception through the first Epiphany in December.

But let's go further. When were YOU born? YOU the reader of this commentary.

Don't give me the date on your birth certificate because you were approximately already 9 months old by that time. I'm open to correction, but we can't say exactly when we were conceived. We don't have the science for that. Nevertheless, sometimes things can happen in a providential manner without us even seeing it!

Case in point: The date on MY birth certificate is June 29, 1955. As is usual in all Christian families, we celebrate my birthday on that day each year. The problem: I get no belated birthday cards! My family has been celebrating my birthday for 49 years and every year they have been 9 months late!

I'm a big "Saints Day" fan. I use to do Compline at night. It is part of the Liturgy of the Hours. To this day I can still partially match up a date with a Saint's feast day.

If you take the date on my birth certificate, the date the world saw me for the first time, and subtract 9 months what date to you come to? September 29, 1954. I'll give you one guess whose feast day we celebrate on September 29th in the Church?

Has Our Lord planned something for you in a providential manner, YOU have never thought of? What happens when you subtract 9 months from the date on YOUR birth certificate!

Something to think about maybe ? I know one person who probably agrees totally with my commentary: Our Blessed Virgin Mother, Mary and for that matter any mother!

I don't have the contacts other priest-friends have, but if any one can forward this commentary to Pope Benedict XVI for his review, it would be appreciated. I can be reached at mike.humphrey@rcn.com

Mike Humphrey
Catholic Apologist

Feedback:

One reader commented:
I believe you have gone way way overboard on the shaming of the American Bishops as well as the Holy See.

I thought my opinion was not overboard, but in striving to be prudent, I've removed those portions from this commentary. Let's remember, were a family, so we're always going to have some holy family fights. I just try to keep them civil and unbloody :)

One reader commented:
None of us and this includes you, can be more Catholic than the Pope.

I'm not trying to be either the Pope or more Catholic than the Pope.

I am a Catholic. I have a right to my opinion as long as I stay within doctrinal parameters don't I? The LETTER of Vatican II states that I should let my opinions known to my spiritual leaders doesn't it? Where is the sin?

I don't understand how this reader can be "very concerned" that a practicing Catholic is just sharing his opinions with the Church. It was my understanding that we are pro-life from Conception to Birth?

Isn't that what the Roman Catholic Church wants to say?

If St. Catherine of Sienna can encourage the Pope to go back to Rome, why can't I suggest that the Holy Father emphasize this 9 month period of time within the liturgical cycle?

Now if you are arguing that I could have stated it in a more diplomatic, sensitive manner, then you may have a point.

One reader commented:
Incorrect. I was born on my birthday, not my conception day. That's what the word "born" means Mike! Besides, even with today's scientific technology - most of us don't know the exact day of our conception.

I disagree, you were born on your conception day, though I agree with you that science doesn't know the exact day of our conception. I've updated the commentary to reflect your point.

One reader commented:
Conception is "conceptual" but everyone acknowledges the day of birth. It's a human thing. We don't usually celebrate the conception of an idea, and invention, or a philosophical truth - but it is very human to celebrate some repercussion of an idea, invention or philosophical/religious truth. The actual "birth" of a child is a fully revealed "public" act to the world - and hence the world celebrates it.

Many words have many different meanings. The word "conception" has different meanings. Your argument is using the incorrect meaning for the word "conception" I've referring to:

con·cep·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kn-spshn) Kudos to dictionary.com
n.

1. a. Formation of a viable zygote by the union of the male sperm and female ovum; fertilization.
   b. The entity formed by the union of the male sperm and female ovum; an embryo or zygote.
   
   
2. a. The ability to form or understand mental concepts and abstractions.
   b. Something conceived in the mind; a concept, plan, design, idea, or thought.
   See Synonyms at idea.
   Archaic. A beginning; a start.

One reader commented:
The piece uses the word "born" as if it meant the same thing as "come into existence". But it's not the same: "born" -- in relation to people -- really does refer to when your mother _delivered_ you, not to your conception.

Of course you came into existence at your conception, and that is the more fundamental event about you. The fact that people celebrate birthdays rather than conception days is sort of a concession to human limitations. People know for sure when you were born, but they can usually only guess at the day you were conceived.

I don't deny anything that you have said here. I just believe as Catholic Christians we should be acknowledging our Conception Day more.