[Salvation]

MARY December 8 Symbols: Lily, Crown of Stars On this holyday of obligation, the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an event that heralds God's choice of Mary to be the Mother of the Redeemer. The Immaculate Conception is the doctrine that the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from any stain of sin, including original sin, from the moment of her conception in her mother's (St. Anne) womb. The Virgin Mary, chosen Mother of the Redeemer, is robed in the splendor of her stainless innocence, and clothed with the beauty of one redeemed in Christ and prepared to receive Him in her womb. Recommended Readings: Revelation 12; Song 4:7

[Salvation]

KING DAVID December 9 Symbols: Six-Pointed Star, Slingshot and 4 Stone, Harp, Crown The six-pointed star is the emblem of the Royal House of David even to this day. Christ, who is born of the House of David, can truly claim this emblem as His own. The crown and scepter signify Christ's universal kingship. Christ is not only the King of the Jewish nation, but the "Desired One of all," the cornerstone which unites both Jew and Gentile. Recommended Readings: 2 Kings 5:3-4; 2:1-7