Ideas for Honoring the Day:
There are many ways to make the day memorable and meaningful. Whether our activities take place on March
25th or as near as practicable, we can always point out the gestational
interval leading up to Christmas. On
the Annunciation feast, we can focus on Christ’s joyfully announced Incarnation
or the application of its pro-life import--or better still we can combine the
two. But note that as a pro-life
observance, the Day of the Unborn Child is different from other pro-life
memorials in that it is founded deep in history upon the wondrous and joyous
event of the Incarnation, and this should be reflected in our approach--for the
feast of Christ’s conception is truly a celebration of the profound mystery of
life. This page offers a great range of
ideas for keeping the day special and keeping its meaning in our minds and
hearts. There is something for almost
everyone. Choose one, and establish it
as a yearly tradition, or try something new each year.
General: (All ages--public/private,
groups/individuals)
Spiritual Adoption (9 months of prayer for an
unborn child from Mar. 25 to Dec. 25)
Highlighting The
Christmas Connection
Carnations for the
Incarnation (suggestions on using this symbol to celebrate
the day)
Private Observance:
Public Observance: (Also check our Past Events Archive
for ideas from previous years)
See Also:
Events--Current
(attend a March 25th event in your area)
Worship
Resources (for church and prayer centered
celebrations)
An Ecumenical Celebration (traditions,
ideas for sermons--various denominations)
American Life
League's Annunciation Web Page
(including suggestions for home, school, and church based activities)
General (All ages--groups and individuals)
Spiritual Adoption (9 months of prayer for an unborn child):
Spiritual Adoption Basics:
Spiritual Adoption is a
particularly poignant way to honor the feast of Christ’s conception. Basically it consists of a symbolically gestational
nine months of prayer for an unborn child in danger of abortion. We can participate as individuals and
families, or more formally in prayer groups and congregations. A church-based program often begins with
participants filling out prayer-pledge slips
and culminates in a Christmastime parish "baby
shower" offering light refreshments and collecting monetary donations
and needs-list items for a local pro-life pregnancy center--an approach that
beautifully incorporates both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Beginning Spiritual Adoption on the
Annunciation and ending in a Christmas-season baby shower has the added
benefits of reinforcing the pro-life aspect of the feast and its theological
significance as the commemoration of Christ's conception, as well as
highlighting the oft-unrecognized pregnancy-length interval between these two
Incarnational feasts. Both aspects can
be opportunely reinforced during the holidays, particularly at the closing gift
shower, to which the whole parish is invited.
Another advantage of Spiritual Adoption is that unlike one-day
Annunciation celebrations, those who missed the feast day opening of the
program can still join in this symbolic period of prayer--for example, if they
begin in the first three months of the program they can start by praying for
the safety of a child in the first trimester, and change their specific prayer
intention for that child every 25th of the month until Christmas.
Popular Approaches to Spiritual Adoption:
When
done for the feast of the Annunciation, the start date is on or near March 25th
(or the day to which the feast is moved)--to maximize participation it is often
begun on the Sunday nearest or before the date. Pledge slips can be left in pews, in baskets with pencils near
entrances, or included in the bulletin.
The concept of "Spiritual Adoption" and the nine months to
Christmas can be explained in the sermon/homily with an invitation to the
congregation to fill out pledge slips and drop them in the collection or a box
at the back of the church. The slips
can list frequency options--for example:
the Lord’s Prayer daily, prayer meeting weekly, or attending an
additional church service each month.
Participants can choose to pray for a boy, girl, handicapped child,
etc.--or leave the selection up to God.
A brief pro-life prayer can be used or written for the occasion. Roman Catholic churches often use Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's original spiritual adoption prayer. Many pro-life organizations such as Students
for Life recommend
the program and there are various resources on the web, for example, a Spiritual
Adoption Poster and free
print materials at spiritualadoption.org including a selection of Spiritual
Adoption Prayer Cards (for which a donation is appreciated but not
required). Particularly helpful is the Spiritual Adoption webpage of The Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Virginia which has links to downloadable files including printable pledge card
slips featuring Archbishop Sheen’s prayer--or, for slips specific to the Feast
of the Annunciation start date see our
downloadable slips below. The Annunciation Church/School Program
launched in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria in 2006 focuses on Spiritual
Adoption and has been requested and successfully implemented in churches and
schools of various denominations throughout the country. Also visit the 2006 section of the Past Events Archive
to read the text used to promote the program in Chicago that year at St.
Hyacinth Basilica.
One
popular Catholic approach of selecting the Annunciation feast date to start a "novena"
of monthly pro-life Masses can easily be combined with and complement a
Spiritual Adoption program--both reinforce the nine-month interval before
Christmas, and each Mass can be offered for a specific monthly intention
concerning the physical, spiritual, and familial welfare of the
"adopted" children such as those suggested below for church
bulletins. If the novena is for an
entire diocese, a church named for the Annunciation or Incarnation can be
chosen if centrally located.
Bulletin Reminders/Inserts:
Church bulletins can
announce the program in advance, explain the reason for starting on the
Annunciation, and include monthly reminders with a Spiritual Adoption prayer
plus an additional optional intention for each of the nine months.
(Sample
bulletin text): Please join in our
Spiritual Adoption program and pledge to pray regularly for the safety of an
abortion-threatened unborn child during the nine months from the Annunciation
feast to Christmas. Pledge slips will
be available on _______ at _______. We
begin on the Incarnational feast of the Annunciation because it commemorates
Christ's conception and is increasingly honored as "The Day of the Unborn
Child." At the end of the
gestational nine-month period, a closing Christmastime "baby shower"
will be held collecting donations for a local pro-life pregnancy center. Spiritual Adoption intention for month one:
____________.
(Examples of nine specific monthly intentions added to the general intention): (1) healthy development for the child, (2) an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery for the mother, (3) a pro-life physician to care for them both, (4) that the father encourage and facilitate this life-affirming choice, and be willing to act as a responsible provider, (5) for both parents’ emotional welfare and maturation toward making good decisions for their child, (6) that they be guided by the Holy Spirit in considering adoption, (7) for wise counsel from clergy, and encouragement from friends, relatives, and especially grandparents who will recognize the child as a new member of the family, (8) that the child once born will continue to be safe from harm and raised in a moral faith-filled environment, (9) for the eternal salvation of the child and family.
The Christmas Baby Shower:
Essentially
this is a baby-themed parish get-together with refreshments in which there will
be a donation bin to collect new items and a slotted box for monetary donations
to benefit a local pro-life pregnancy center.
All are invited, but if desired, special “Thank You” invitations can be
sent to those who filled out pledge slips.
The oft-overlooked "Twelve Days of Christmas" after the
holiday rush is a perfect time in which to have the shower reminding us that
traditionally the season really begins rather than ends with December
25th. Epiphany at the end of the twelve
days is also a good choice since the baby gifts can remind us of the gifts
Christ received from the Magi--the popular Annunciation Church/School Program
has the closing party on Epiphany to collect “baby presents for Jesus.” Whether held before or after December 25th,
the shower should be announced well in advance and indicate what items are
needed and how checks should be made out.
The pro-life pregnancy center should be contacted early on for their needs-list
for new items and whether or not gently used baby clothing is also
accepted--this info should also be prominently posted in the church and/or
bulletin in the weeks before the shower.
At the shower, signs, banners, and/or an info table should remind
parishioners that the Spiritual Adoption program began nine months earlier on
the Annunciation Feast of Christ’s conception to reinforce the relationship
between the feasts--this is especially important for those who will come to
donate for the shower but did not participate in Spiritual Adoption. Hint:
Pastel blue and pink frosted cut-out cookies are attractive additions to
the refreshments table. Try using these
two pastel colors on Christmas shaped cookies to combine the shower and holiday
themes. Use large cutters to add the
dates "Mar. 25 - Dec. 25" with a writing-tip icing tube--larger angel
cutters are ideal as the theme covers both the Annunciation and Nativity
feasts. Baby-themed cut-outs can also
be used--for ex.: baby bottle,
baby
carriage, or three piece set (bottle, teddy bear,
rocking horse).
Downloadable Files for Printable Pledge
Slips and Sample:
For
printable pledge slips specific to the Annunciation Feast start date,
right-click to download the MS Word
file for Annunciation Spiritual Adoption Pledge Slips. (Some sites recommend printing the slips on pink and blue
paper.) They can be modified or you can
create your own--a sample appears below.
The 2-part slips should include the info on the nine month pregnancy
interval between the two feasts and should also mention the "baby
shower" that will be held at the end near Christmas.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feast of the Annunciation Spiritual Adoption Pledge SPIRITUAL
Honoring the Incarnational and Pro-Life Meaning of the Feast of ADOPTION
Christ’s Conception Celebrated Nine Months Before Christmas
Name:
I will pray regularly for an endangered
unborn child for 9 months--from the
feast date (also designated the Day Of
The Unborn Child) until Christmas.
Address:
Please circle the level of frequency
(suggestions in parentheses):
Daily
(Spiritual Adoption prayer, Our Father, Memorare)
Weekly
(Rosary, Chaplet, prayer meeting)
E-mail:
Monthly
(Eucharistic Adoration, additional Mass or worship service)
The nine months of prayer will end with
a Christmas season “baby shower” to collect
donations for a local pro-life
pregnancy center--details will be printed in the bulletin.
(KEEP THIS PORTION AND POST IN A
PROMINENT PLACE AS A REMINDER) (DETACH
& SUBMIT)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highlighting the Christmas Connection:
The Importance of the Annunciation/Christmas Connection:
There are several key
reasons why the December 25th celebration of the Incarnate Word as revealed at
His birth is an ideal time to renew our historical acquaintance with the March
25th feast of Christ’s conception.
First of all, Christmas is naturally linked to the Annunciation, not
only as another important Incarnational feast, but also because it marks the
end of the gestational interval separating them. Furthermore, Christmas is a mainstream cultural and religious
holiday widely celebrated across nations and denominations. Despite all attempts at secularization, the
Christmas season is still the time of year when there is general openness to or
at least expectation of encountering religious and specifically Christian
themes as well as pro-child birth images in the culture--in public displays,
store merchandise, decorations on homes and businesses, postal stamps, music on
the radio, and media coverage of local celebrations. Finally, it is the time of year when we have contact with friends
and relatives whom we rarely see, and when churches and congregations welcome
members or visitors who may only attend services once a year. The combination of these factors makes it
essential to take the opportunity to introduce the Annunciation and its meaning
into our Christmas season communications, gifts and celebrations.
Weaving the Annunciation into Christmas Traditions:
The suggestions below include ideas on introducing a few facts about the Annunciation into Christmas season e-mail, postal mailings, customized Christmas cards, personalized gift ornaments, homemade gift tags, pocket calendars, and church services. Though some are specific to families or children, others can also be put into practice by churches/organizations--the approach differing mainly in scale and formality. However, clergy, retreat masters, and others who have a public forum during the Christmas season have unique opportunities, and these will be addressed at the end of the listing. (Clergy and ministry/dept. heads should also see the Spiritual Adoption section for a very practical way to introduce and maintain the Annunciation/Christmas connection.)
Electronic
Mailings/Communications:
Perhaps
the easiest way to spread the word about the Annunciation is to change or add a
special e-mail “signature” for all your outgoing e-mails at the start of the
December holiday season (you can also use it in March): Your usual closing and name and as much
information about the feasts as you like, for ex.--“A Blessed Annunciation
(Mar. 25) + 9 months = A Merry Christmas (Dec. 25)” or a few lines about the
history of the feast, that it was once named for the Incarnation, that the
feast of Christ’s conception once began the New Year, and its relationship to
Christmas, etc.
Seals/Stickers for Envelopes/Packages:
Address labels can be
personalized with any text you choose, and they make attractive additions to Christmas
cards and can be used as envelope seals on the outside of all your holiday
season mailings. One way is to make
them at home with computer inkjet/laser printer labels and a word processing or
home publishing program; this will give you control over the font and design,
and your local office supply store will have a variety of shapes and styles for
you to choose. However, an easier way
is to design and purchase them on-line--many Internet stationery stores allow
you to type your own text into the name and address lines on the screen. Choose styles that allow 25 or more
characters and at least 3 lines.
Note: Depending on the style and
text you choose, the labels can also be used on March mailings leading up to
the Annunciation. Some examples with
suggested text are below:
Text-Only Labels:
Suitable for both feasts are the small Miles Kimball labels
(silver, gold, or white) that have a generous text allowance--maximum of 5
lines of 35 characters/spaces. This is
enough for two or three mini sentences or a few separate title lines. Type in the personalization after selecting
quantity. Note for this style, limiting
yourself to four lines will give you slightly larger text:
4-line example
for both Christmas & Annunciation, 35-or-fewer characters per line:
A
Blessed Annunciation Day--Mar. 25
+
9 Months
=
A Merry Christmas--Dec. 25
Celebrate
the Incarnational Feasts
Decorative Labels:
If you prefer a more decorative label with a
graphic, Colorful Images offers many holiday themes including the larger
square shaped style. Most have a 4 line
26-character-each limit. To order just
click on a design below and type the text of your choice into the name and
address boxes after adding the label to your cart.
Graphics that cover both Annunciation/Christmas
include the 4-line 26 character golden bow/bells,
blue singing
angel, & the 3-line die-cut shaped musical angels.
Traditional Christmas decorative labels include the
4-line 26-character evergreen
border, poinsettia/candles,
golden
bow/pine-cone, holly/poinsettias
variety, & poinsettias
variety.
Outdoor/nature Christmas themes include the Xmas
wreath/cardinals, winter scene
with cardinals, welcoming home
at Christmas, sleigh
& child with Xmas
tree.
Religious Christmas graphic labels include the
4-line 26-character Bethlehem,
Madonna and
child, baby Jesus
close-up, and the 3-line stained-glass
Holy Family.
Even the 3-line
26-character labels can accommodate:
Annunciation
Day--Mar. 25
+
Nine Months =
A
Merry Christmas--Dec. 25
Or 4-line
example:
Annunciation
Day--Mar. 25
&
Christmas--Dec. 25
Are
Exactly 9 Mos. Apart
[A
4th line might include: The
Length of a Pregnancy or Honoring the Incarnation]
Design Your Own Christmas Cards, Postcard Calendar Magnets, or Calendar Cards with text on the Christmas/Annunciation connection:
Vistaprint allows you to design your
own cards with the images and text you choose without purchasing a large
quantity. You can design your own from
scratch using their stock of images, or use their templates. They have many Christmas themes and products
that can easily accommodate the text examples for the Christmas/Annunciation
labels given above--for example:
Customized Holiday Folded Cards (10 for $6.49) are
available in general Christmas themes
or religious themes.
4 x 8 Holiday Cards (can include a
photo you upload).
Holiday Calendar Cards (this tent style card that includes a year calendar can serve as
a reminder of the feast for the coming year--the card calendars and magnet
style below are ideal to point out the relationship between the feasts--so be
sure to add text on the 9-months interval plus the fact that the March 25
Annunciation was New Year’s Day in the pre-Gregorian calendar).
Mailable Calendar Magnet Postcards
(10 for $12.99. These too have the
advantage of being year-long reminders--use the same text ideas as for the
Holiday Calendar Cards above).
Give Customized Tree Ornaments as Gifts (with text on the Annunciation and Christmas):
A
Christmas tree ornament has the advantage of being brought out every year as a
reminder of the feast days, and if reasonably durable can be handed down as a
keepsake. Some tree ornaments can be
homemade using the image/text ideas below and those found under the gift tag and envelope seal
sections. However, modern technology
allows you to add your own text on-line to professionally made wood and metal
ornaments that can be given/mailed as gifts.
Some of the metal and fabric ornaments described below are sufficiently
flat and lightweight to be inserted in Christmas cards.
Small to Large Quantity
Personalized Wood Ornaments:
LazerDesigns offers
several styles of wood ornaments that you can personalize with your own
text. They are laser cut and engraved
with your message and each comes in a gift box with string to hang--production
time is 5-10 business days, and any quantity can be ordered from one on up--the
greater the quantity, the lower the price per ornament:
Most appropriate is the angel design which covers both feasts
and allows 4-lines of 25-characters each--you simply click the button to
personalize and enter your desired text in the line boxes. The star bulb design also allows four
25-character lines, but the 4th must be entered in the “special instructions”
box.
Here are some text suggestions for 25 character
lines--either the first 4 or the last four lines would make good use of the
text limit:
The Incarnational Feasts
Annunciation Day--Mar. 25
& Christmas--Dec. 25
Are Exactly 9 Mos. Apart
Celebrate the Incarnation
There is also a star design with 4 lines of only 20
characters each. The candle has this same limit, but
the 4th line must be entered in the special instructions box.
Here is a text
suggestion for 20 character lines:
Blessed Annunciation [or]
Annunciation Day
+ 9 Months =
A Merry Christmas
March 25~December 25
Large Quantity Ornaments
(Wood, Fabric, Metal):
Individuals
and organizations needing larger quantities of customized ornaments have
additional options at iaspromotes.com (most styles have a 50
quantity minimum). Their wood ornaments come in tree, star,
bell, and snowflake shapes. They offer fabric ornaments in various Christmas
designs (star, tree, etc.). A
particularly attractive design in the metal ornaments category is the Gloria
Duchin gold nativity. Organizations that need high quantity (250
and up) mailable metal ornaments should consider the 2, 3, or 4 inch Avaline brass thin enough to fit in a
card.
Homemade Gift Tags (children/young teens):
Annunciation/Christmas
theme gift tags are a good craft for children who can either draw/color the pictures
or cut them out of catalogs/magazines--sticker machines are helpful for a mini
collage. (Older children and teens can
do these on a computer with clip art.)
You will need card stock or heavyweight paper
and a hole punch and string for the corner.
Simply cut a long rectangle twice as long as the finished gift tag
should be, and fold in half. For
example, a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet will produce 6 tags large enough for a
small drawing or collage--cut the sheet in two 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 halves, then cut
each half into thirds 5 1/2 x a little over 2 3/4.
Then fold strips in half--tags will be squarish in shape. With the fold at the left, punch a hole in the upper left corner.
On front of tag, write or paste a cut-out “Merry Christmas” at the top, and then “from:” below that, and “to:” near the bottom--leaving space to fill in names later.
Open tag (there will be two panels). On the left side write at top: “Annunciation Day” or “Feast of the Annunciation”,
and on the right side across from it write “Christmas” or “Feast of the
Nativity.” (“Feast of the Nativity” is
a much older name for Christmas). Then
near top under the feast names write “Mar. 25” on the left, and “Dec. 25” on
the right, across from each other--then in the middle between the two dates
write “+ 9 months =” or “plus 9 months equals” (this should be written across
the fold).
Then draw or paste small pictures of the
Annunciation on the left (Mary with angel, Mary with halo around her womb, rays
of light coming from dove down to Mary), and of the birth of Jesus on the right
(manger, holy family, star, sheep).
When done children should sign their tag on the back after “made by” and
add the year.
Then close tag and feed decorative string
through both holes in corner and tie with a double knot so that loop is at
least 4 1/2 inches long (long enough to attach to gift bags by wrapping the
string around handles and feeding card through loop and pulling tight).
Mini Gift Calendars Personalized With Info on the Annunciation:
In
each Christmas card you send, insert a customized wallet or desk size calendar
for the coming year. As noted in the
section on Calendar Christmas Cards/Postcards,
a calendar that will be kept through the coming year is ideal not only as a
continual reminder, but the calendar theme lends itself to info on the feast
dates, the nine month interval, and the fact that the Annunciation was New
Year’s Day in the pre-Gregorian calendar (until the 1700s in England). Any or all of this information can be
included on a small calendar. You can
have them professionally printed, download ours (coming in November), or make
them yourself, as explained below:
Professional
Printing:
For
larger quantities (usually 50 and up) you can have standard business card stock
professionally printed with any text you desire on the front and the calendar
on the back, but a more durable option is the plastic wallet size calendars available in two calendar
formats that offer several lines of text--enough for info on the feast days and
a personalized holiday greeting with your name--you can choose the calendar
style under format options (B and C).
Download
Our Pocket-Size Calendars:
Smaller
quantities will be best in most cases, as calendars are only good for the
current year. You can download our
credit-card sized cards--next year’s calendar will be available here in
November in time for Christmas mailings.
Note: They can be printed one-sided, and you can
sign the back with a personal greeting to each recipient; or, you can print the
optional back sheet that allows you to add your own text by double clicking the
image--there is a text box in edit mode (between the carnations) that you can
personalize with your name, recipient's name, year, etc.--remember to save your
changes and close the picture after editing.
Print in color on best quality setting and try several paper types to
see what works best with your printer (photo paper, smooth cardstock/greeting
card paper, or heavyweight graphics/imaging paper). Click the links for our
pocket calendars from last year and the optional back (you
can still use these in March if you send Annunciation Cards).
Make
Your Own:
If
you want to include Annunciation/Christmas theme calendars in Christmas
mailings every year it might be worthwhile to learn to make your own--many home
publishing programs have calendar options--the graphic options for calendars
are linked to programs that calculate the days for whatever year you
enter. Your program may give you the
option to choose a small calendar (pocket or desk size), which would be the
best option. Once you have the calendar
formatted the way you want (adding your text at top and bottom, font changes,
etc.) you can copy it as an image.
First you may have to click and drag around the whole calendar to group
the months and titles as one image (a single red border around them all shows
they have been grouped), and right click to copy. Then tile it across a blank document in your home publishing or
word processing program to print out several per sheet, on smooth card stock,
greeting card, or photo paper. You can
sign the backs with a personal greeting.
A standard sheet can easily accommodate 8 credit card size calendars in
two columns of four. Or for a tent
style desktop size calendar you would divide a standard size document into four
sections from the top down--a sized-to-fit calendar can be copied into the 2nd
section and the 4th at the bottom; then print and cut the sheet in half
crosswise, cut off the blank edges, fold each in half and you have two stand-up
calendars. However you size and print
the copied calendar, remember to keep the original calendar (original size but
with your additions) as a home publishing file that is still linked to the
calendar program--then you can just update it every year by entering new dates
(to change the date in the saved file, some require you to enter the new year
separately for each month).
Note: If
your home publishing program has no templates for small calendars that will fit
in a Christmas card, those who are experienced with formatting and graphics can
reformat and modify a basic single sheet one-year calendar. Instructions vary depending on the programs
you use, but the following are based on older versions of MS Home Publishing
and Word: In your home publishing
program search for calendar templates and choose a landscape layout calendar
with four columns and three rows for the twelve months. Enter your year so the program will
recalculate the days. Change the
letter/numbers font to a narrow but easy to read style such as Abadi MT Condensed bold or Arial Narrow bold. If each month has to be formatted
separately, the easiest way to make major changes is to change one month to the
format you like--rich click and choose “change calendar” for font changes and
to center alignments, right click and choose “more options” to change border, gridlines,
etc. Then right click the calendar for
that month, choose “more options” and “duplicate”--do this until you have 12 of
the correct format, and do the same with the text boxes for the names of the
months, and then click and drag to arrange them and eliminate wasted space
between months. Change the text boxes
to the correct months--to save space you can put the year in each month title
rather than the top of the calendar.
Then right click on each of the 12 calendars and choose “change
calendar” and then enter the correct start date for that month--it should have
a box for month and year--change the start date and it will recalculate the
days. Repeat for rest of months and
check start and end days of each month against a professional calendar such as
the one on your computer. You can then
add a shape to circle the dates of Mar. 25 and Dec. 25 (from “main options”
choose “add something” then “shape or line” then “shape”--the donut or round
shapes are best) and drag and size it to circle Mar. 25, then right click it to
change shape color to red, then copy the shape, and paste and drag it over Dec.
25. Use a long thin text box the length
of the calendar at the top and bottom for your text (use Christmas colors if
you choose)--for ex.: “A Blessed Annunciation
+ 9 months = A Merry Christmas“ for the top,
and “The Mar. 25 Annunciation Feast was the pre-Gregorian-calendar New Year’s
Day” for the bottom. When you like the
way it looks, make sure you save this file in the home publishing program after
formatting so it retains the calendar programming allowing you to change the
date next year (also remember to save it in the original large size to maintain
clarity and allow different sizing options next year). Then click and drag around all the images
that make up your calendar to group them as one image (usually one red border
around them all will show the images have been grouped)--then right click to
copy, and paste the full size calendar (to preserve clarity) into a blank
document in the home publishing or word processing program (it is best to
reduce the margins of this new document to maximize the number of calendars
printed per sheet). It should now be an
image that you can reduce and shrink to the desired size (simply select image
and drag a corner). Then you can click
to select and then right click to copy and paste as many as can fit on a
page. Moving by dragging is easier in a
home publishing program; if you use a word processing program for print out,
for wallet-size calendars try choosing the columns option (select two) for more
even spacing to make cutting them out easier.
Print in best quality and experiment with paper types--try smooth finish
cardstock, photo paper, or heavyweight graphics/imaging paper. When cut out you can sign the back with a
personal Christmas greeting.
Clergy and the Christmas Connection (see also
Spiritual Adoption):
The
most natural way to introduce the Annunciation as the occasion of Christ’s
Incarnation and conception is in a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
sermon/homily, which reaches the greatest number of people because of increased
attendance. But any Sunday during the
holiday season is a good time to touch upon the history of the Annunciation
feast date and its relationship to Dec. 25th.
Those who want to comment on the pro-life import of Christ’s Incarnation
can point out that the contemporary observance of the “Day of the Unborn Child
“ takes place exactly nine months before Christmas on the traditional day
commemorating Christ’s conception--March 25th.
It needn’t be the focus of the whole sermon--just a brief comment to
address the subject takes only a few moments.
Additionally, the large public space available in a church can be
utilized with a banner conveying a simple message such as: “A Blessed Annunciation + 9 Months = A Merry
Christmas” and/or “Celebrate the Incarnational Feasts--March 25th &
December 25th--Exactly Nine Months Apart". Any one of these approaches can make an important contribution
toward fostering not only our reverence for life but our understanding of
Christology and the Incarnation--for this single reference in church on
Christmas may be the only time Christ’s conception is brought to the attention
of the congregation, especially those who come only once a year.
[Note: Catholic clergy in particular have an
additional opportunity during the Christmas season to mention another pregnancy-length
interval between a conception and birth feast.
As with Christ's conception and birth, the feast of Mary's conception on
December 8 is set nine months before her birth feast on September 8. The consistency in the symbolic spacing of
these two pairs of dates is something that can be brought out in the homilies
for each of the four feast days. There
is yet another advantage to explaining the March 25th Annunciation on the feast
of Mary’s Immaculate Conception and visa-versa--pointing out that there is a
specific feast for Christ’s conception (logically set nine months before
Christmas) clarifies the fact that the December 8 Immaculate Conception
commemorates the day Mary was conceived--many people confuse the
Immaculate Conception of Mary with the virginal conception of Christ. Confusion is apt to occur because the
absence of biblical references to Mary’s parents necessitates the reading of
the Annunciation passages concerning Christ’s conception on the feast of Mary’s
Immaculate Conception, and there is also the less frequent but additional
complication of some denominations’ use of the term “Immaculate Conception” to
refer to Christ’s conception. Clearly
we can be using the same language but meaning something entirely
different. Each of these gestationally
spaced feast dates is a welcome opportunity to set the record straight, and if
we are directed to keep the nine month interval in mind, it is easy to
understand which conception feast is for Christ and which is for Mary--because
we all understand Christmas as commemorating Christ’s birth.]
Carnations for the Incarnation:
The Need for A Symbol:
The
all-important moment of Incarnation--the central theme of Christianity--is
often left out of depictions and discussions of the Annunciation, because it
takes place hidden in the womb of the Virgin Mary on a scale too small to be
seen. Even eyewitnesses standing by at
the Annunciation could not say they saw the Word become Flesh, and artists who
try to represent this real event by painting a window on the womb can only
effectively show a later stage of prenatal development, not the microscopic
level of conception. It is easy to
visualize the angel and Mary or a dove floating above representing the Holy Spirit,
but the embryonic Christ concealed in the womb of the virgin is a challenge for
our imagination; it is a challenge even to imagine friends, family, and other
ordinary human beings at this prenatal stage of life--how much more challenging
to imagine God as that tiny embryo.
“Out of sight--out of mind” is often equally true of the mind’s eye,
especially when the pivotal fact of Christ’s conception can be overshadowed by
beautiful mental images of the archangel Gabriel we can so much more easily
visualize. For this reason there is a
need for an abstract symbol not native to the oft-portrayed scene, but clearly
referencing that most momentous event there taking place.
The Flower as Symbol:
The beauty and fragrance of
flowers and their varied types make them natural symbols. From the time of the ancient Greeks through
the Victorian era, flowers have been used as a symbolic language or
“florigraphy.” Holidays (or holy days)
and observances often have specific flowers associated with them. Christmas has the poinsettia, Easter has the
lily, and pro-life Roe v. Wade memorials use the rose, but a visually appealing
symbol is particularly important when illuminating an unseen mystery. In this case, it is the unique and unparalleled
moment of Incarnation--the conception of Jesus--which, paradoxically, takes
place in the material world but cannot be seen by man and remains hidden for
nine months. The carnation is a
much-needed and welcome symbol that in its very name focuses the mind on what
happened on that awe inspiring occasion.
Carnations for the Incarnation:
The literal translation
of “carnation” is a “flesh-colored” flower--making it an appropriate symbol for
the enfleshment of the eternal Word even if it were not a near sound-alike for
the theological term. Dianthus, its
aptly named genus, means "divine flower" or “flowers of god.” But one needn’t know any facts about the
flower to make the connection with “Incarnation”--these nearly homonymous words
were once synonymous for a rosy hue--and the association between the two comes
quite naturally. In fact, when the U.S.
Postal Service revealed the name of the artwork featured on the 2007
Christmas Stamp--Bernardino
Luini’s "Madonna of the Carnation"--some assumed it was a printer's error that left off
the "In" (the cropped image on the stamp made it hard to recognize
the small flower in the hand of the infant Christ). Art aficionados may have recognized the work as one of several
identically titled paintings by famous artists like Da Vinci and Dürer
depicting Mary and the baby Jesus
holding the beautiful blossoms. In the
past, carnations have had various meanings, including maternal love, and the
points or “pinks” of the petals were used as symbols of Christ's Passion--the
carnation therefore also has the advantage of representing Christ’s entire
earthly life from virginal conception to his redemptive death. Moreover, once established as a well-known
symbol, this common florist-flower seen year-round can serve as a frequent
reminder of Christ's incomparable gift of Himself in the flesh.
General Suggestions on Using
Carnations:
Carnations
present us with many lovely ways to make a poignant memory on the feast day--in
the form of a thoughtful gift, beautiful bouquets in church, a single bloom on
the dinner table, or worn as a boutonniere by both men and women. They come in a wide variety of colors, from
the plain white you find at the florist to the Black King carnation with petals so darkly red they appear
velvety black. As symbols of the
Incarnation, keeping in mind the meaning of the words, flesh-toned
carnations (rose, pink, and peach pastels are the most common) are preferable
to the more bright purples, red/orange, and striped varieties. Click to read more about our downloadable “Carnations for the Incarnation” paper ribbons,
which can be attached to the stems to highlight the symbolism. For an emphasis on the pro-life aspect of
the day, use the smaller baby carnations, or a mix of pink carnations and white
dyed blue (click for instructions). Artificial carnations are especially useful
for crafts--they may be easier to find and far more affordable at dollar and
discount stores than craft/party specialty stores. See the suggestions below for specifics on using the carnation
theme in particular Annunciation feast activities and settings, including the church, parish, and school; ideas for the home; organizations or families hosting a dinner/party/tea/event; baked-goods and candy; gifts and party favors; crafts for adults and children, and cards/invitations, envelopes and seals.
Carnations in Church, Parish, & School-Based Activities:
Bouquets and Arrangements in Church:
Flowers
have long been used in church as examples of the beauty of God’s living
creation. Use carnations prominently in
church on the feast day or on the Sunday before or nearest the feast, with
clear mention of the symbolism and the day’s significance.
Flowers in Processions:
For
example--on the feast day, have a first communion class enter church in
procession holding carnations.
“Incarnation Celebrations” (use the carnation as a symbol in promotional materials):
Annunciation
events that focus on the Incarnational reality of Christ’s conception are sometimes
called “Incarnation Celebrations”--carnation graphics can be used in fliers,
signs, and bulletin inserts promoting the events.
Carnation Sale Fundraisers:
Celebrate
the feast by having a carnation sale
fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local
pro-life pregnancy center. Fundraising
carnation sales for churches and charities are often promoted as Carnation Day,
but the practice can easily be applied to the celebration of Incarnation Day to
reinforce the meaning of the feast and raise money for a worthy life-affirming
cause. Click here
for general info on having a carnation sale and also see the suggestions
on Mother's Day flower sales that can apply to Annunciation carnation sales. Contact your local nursery or florist for flowers, and offer to
place their name on the order forms in return for a discount. Promotion of the sale should stress the
carnations are being sold for the Annunciation feast of Christ’s Incarnation
with proceeds going to a pro-life pregnancy center in memory of that moment of
His conception--download a promotional sign
with this info and carnation graphics (standard size sheet--print best quality
color in landscape).
Carnation Seeds (for distribution at church/school, or given as gifts):
Though they lack the visual appeal of the
flower, carnation seeds are the ideal symbol of the Incarnational conception of
Christ--a seed represents new life, and the blessing of seeds is an old
Annunciation Day tradition. Their small
size brings to mind the embryo--the tiny plant embryo hidden within the seed
coat as the newly conceived Christ was hidden in Mary’s womb. Our downloadable "Carnations for the Incarnation"
color sheet (with the feast name, date, etc.) can be cut and folded into four
mini seed packets, or into paper ribbons to staple to clear bags/packets if
desired--see instructions below. A
standard carnation seed packet from a nursery or home store is enough for 10 or
more mini packs--a small pinch a pack.
For larger distribution, bulk carnation seeds can be purchased on-line
in a multi-color mix (various
quantities--1/16 oz. to 1 lb.) or, for a more select color variety go to seedcentre.com for a
pink/red/white mix and click on their Perennial
Catalog link for current prices and then follow the instructions on their web
site.
Instructions for Making Seed Packets:
Download
and print our standard size color "Carnations for the
Incarnation"
sheet (one sheet makes four packets). Cut
the sheet in four 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. quarters.
Place one of the quarter sheets long-side vertical, so that the writing
is right side up as for reading. Flip
it sideways so the printing is face down.
Fold up from bottom in half (half the printing is now visible upside
down). Then fold right edges up about
1/2 in. and crease down toward the center--do the same with the left
edges. Then fold these right and left
folded edges in again toward the center so they almost touch in the
middle. Crease all folds tightly. The side facing down should now have a
pocket about one-and-a-half inches wide--put a small pinch of seeds in the
pocket (enough to rattle--at least 7).
Then with folded side facing up, fold the top down about 1/2 inch and
crease the several layers tightly especially at corners. Flip packet over side-to-side so smooth side
is facing up, and staple near top centered about 1/4 inch down to secure flap.
If Clear Seed Packets Are Desired:
Clear
mini bags that show the seeds can be purchased at craft stores or Internet
sites. If they are not the zip lock
type, remember to fold each top corner in to create a point and then fold
pointed top down and staple.
Transparent packets can also be made with tracing or wax paper by using
the folding instructions above for regular printed sheet packets. If using printed paper ribbons below, attach
with the one staple used to close packet.
To attach paper ribbons with feast info to clear packs: Download and print our standard size color "Carnations for the
Incarnation"
sheet--but print it double-sided.
Cut sheet in half lengthwise into two 4 1/4 x 11 strips. Cut 4 1/4
strips wide enough to read three or more of the repeated lines of text--about
1/2 inch wide. Fold strip in half at an
angle to create a V-shape, and staple near top of packet (if using folded
tracing/wax paper packets or non-zip-lock plastic, use the one staple to close
packet and attach ribbon). (If desired,
you can cut white edges off each side of sheet after printing, or for a more
finished look, you can cut ends of ribbon on a bias after cutting each
strip). [NOTE: this same downloadable sheet can be printed
double sided and used to attach longer ribbons
to fresh cut carnations--click for instructions.]
Carnations for the Home and Family
Dinner Table:
The
most common suggestion for using carnations on the Annunciation is to have
fresh cut flowers for the dinner table.
Most everyone can buy a single carnation for the occasion, and take a
few moments to say a special grace before the meal thanking God for the
incomparable gift of His Incarnation and asking him to protect unborn
children. Pro-life organizations such
as American Life League recommend making
a carnation centerpiece for a more formal feast-day family dinner. Women for Faith and Family also suggests
using carnations in a household shrine -- explaining to children that they
symbolize the Incarnation and allowing them to sprinkle the flowers with holy
water. EWTN’s web page on celebrating
the Annunciation includes these and adds info on the meaning of the carnation
as symbolic of the Incarnation, life, love, and the crucifixion.
For
dinner parties, see the suggestions for a carnation-themed
event/diner/party/tea below.
Families & Organizations: Host an Event, Dinner, Party, or Tea with a Carnation Theme
Invitations
can be sent with a carnation theme including carnation confetti inside--see cards/stationery. Please also see the favor suggestions under gifts, and
the dessert ideas in the
baked-goods/candy section.
Centerpiece Options:
Fresh
Flowers:
Use
a vase of fresh cut carnations, and offer one to each of your guests to take
home as a reminder of the feast day--you can also attach paper “Carnations for the Incarnation” ribbons (click
for more info) by downloading our color printed sheets. For a more formal table, order or create
your own carnation florist-style arrangement.
Floating
or Fragranced Carnation Candles:
Floating carnation-shaped candles in a clear bowl (using cut crystal reflects the light) will create a lovely atmosphere, and they can also be given as gifts and favors. Reasonably-priced floating carnation candles can be purchased in various colors, including peach, on-line. Those who prefer the fragrance of carnation can choose a scented jar candle