[ampaterry]

GOOD stuff, BlackEagle -
Exactly correct; conformity to the will of God IS non-conformity to the world.

Today is a recognized day.
And for more than just simply because we designated this the day to change the calendar year on.

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God.

They say in the 4th and 5th centuries debates about the nature of Christ raged in the Church concerning Christ's divine and human natures. At the center of this debate was a title of Mary. Since at least the 3rd century, Christians had referred to Mary as theotokos, meaning "God-bearer." Related to theotokos, Mary was popularly called the mother of God, but the patriarch of Constantinople from 428-431, Nestorius, objected. He suggested that Mary was only the mother of Jesus' human nature, but not his divine nature. Nestorius' ideas (or at least how others perceived his arguments) were condemned at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and again at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. The Church decided that Christ was fully God and fully human, and these natures were united in one person, Jesus Christ. Thus Mary could be called "mother of God" since she gave birth to Jesus who was fully divine as well as human. Since this time, Mary has been frequently honored as the "mother of God" by Catholics, Orthodox, and many Protestants.

The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God falls exactly one week after Christmas, which is a fitting time to honor Mary as Mother of Jesus. When they celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God they are not only honoring Mary, they say, but Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully human. Calling Mary "mother of God" is the highest honor they feel they can give Mary. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the "Prince of Peace," the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the "Queen of Peace" This solemnity, falling on New Year's Day, is also designated the World Day of Peace.

Do I have a problem with this teaching?
Not at all, provided that it is made clear that Mary is MORTAL, and Jesus is DIVINE. If this teaching is used to elevate Mary to the same level as God, then it falls into error.
Meanwhile, let us join our Catholic brothers and sisters in prayer, thank God for his sacrifice for us and ask for the blessing of peace to all mankind.

And a Happy New Year to every one of you -