You're listening to Catholic Sprouts, the daily podcast for Catholic kids that strives to plant seeds of faith.

Hey there, Sprouts. Today is Thursday, December 8th, 2022. Today is also in most places a holy day of obligation because it is the feast of the immaculate conception of Mary.

We're going to talk about what this means, but before we do, we are still in Advent.

Because of St. Cecilia's challenge this month in the B.S. St. Kids Club,

we are memorizing two verses from the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 5, and 6.

If you'll join me in prayer.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

For all the boots of the trampling warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall we burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.

Authority rests upon his shoulders and he is named, wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting

father, prince of peace. So like I said today as a holy day of obligation. If you are able,

please make your way to Mass. Today we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Now, when I was a kid, I have to admit, I was very confused about what this feast day celebrated.

Until I was in college, in fact, I thought that we were celebrating the conception of Jesus.

When Jesus first came into existence in Mary's womb.

But that's not what we're celebrating, because if you can do

even a little bit of math, you know, we're a lot less than nine months away from Christmas.

We celebrate Jesus coming into existence in Mary's womb and the enunciation on March 25th, which is exactly nine months before Christmas.

Now, today we celebrate when Mary was immaculately conceived in the womb of St. Anne.

So not only did the Holy Spirit come and bring Jesus into Mary's womb,

but the Holy Spirit also came and brought Mary into existence. Now, this is something that our church

has for a long time celebrated and known, but it has not been officially declared dogma or teaching of the church.

...