The Feast of the Annunciation & the Immaculate Conception

March 25th Marks the Day of Holy Observance

On March 25^th of each year, Christians mark the celebration of the Feast of The Annunciation. As the date which precedes Christmas, by nine months, the Feast of The Annunciation marks the date on which the Virgin Mary was foretold of her impending birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

On this date, in observance of the Feast of the Annunciation, Christians celebrate life of the Virgin Mary and observe the importance of the Immaculate Conception. Commonly known as a Marian feast, this is the most important tribute feast to the Virgin in religious view. In many homes, beginning with the Feast of Annunciation, and progressing through the nine months leading to Christmas, evening meals are prepared with a spiritual reading which focuses and pays tribute to the gestational period, pregnancy and bonding of Jesus and his mother, the Virgin Mary. With a daily observation, many Christian homes, especially those with small children, find the entire family has a greater understanding of the importance of this period in Biblical history.

For children, the Feast of the Annunciation can be a confusing time especially for those children who are not familiar with the process of conception, birth and pregnancy. Many religious leaders, therefore, recommend that parents alternate methods, in lieu of spiritual readings, to engage children in the importance of March 25^th, the Feast of the Annunciation.

One such option for spiritual growth and application in children involves the use gardening as an option to teach children in the miracle of growth from a seed. Using marigold seeds, a plant that is especially named after the Virgin Mary, a child can plant, water and nurture the marigold until floral blooms develop and form, marking the progress from seed to birth. When the marigolds are bloomed, a brilliant scent is emitted often providing children with a sort of aromatherapy throughout their lives; linking this brilliant scent to the remembrance of the birth of Jesus.