Introduction

On January 1, the Octave Day of Christmas, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

In Catholic tradition, an octave is an eight-day period of celebration, extending the joy and significance of a major feast. The Octave of Christmas begins with the Nativity of the Lord on December 25 and concludes with this solemnity, which honors Mary in her unique role as the Mother of God, emphasizing her integral participation in the mystery of the Incarnation.

The title “Mother of God” (Theotokos in Greek, literally “god-bearer”) underscores the inseparable union of the divine and human natures within Jesus Christ. This title was officially affirmed and defended at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, solidifying it as a central tenet of Christian doctrine. Celebrating Mary’s motherhood of Jesus on the Octave reinforces this truth and reminds the faithful that Jesus, while born as a human child, is truly God.

In addition to being the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, January 1 has been designated as the World Day of Peace by the Catholic Church since 1967. Instituted by Pope St. Paul VI, this day invites the faithful to pray for global peace and reflect on the Church’s teachings regarding justice, reconciliation, and solidarity among nations.
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