Facing A Conundrum In 2024

This year (2024), the Church is facing a conundrum, all because Holy Week was in the last week of March, Easter was on March 31^st and the Octave of Easter ended on April 7th. As a result, the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation was moved to April 8^th from the normal March 25^th since Holy Week takes precedence over all other celebrations that occur.

What to do with this odd situation? Ignore it? That would make Jesus a “preemie” this year. 

 Or, should Christmas therefore be moved to January 8^th? That would respect the nine-month perfect pregnancy which the Church has for John the Baptist, Mary, and especially Jesus. Fun fact: January 8^th also happens to be Elvis’ birthday and another singer/guitarist of middling talent.

But, that would mess up the Advent season. It would have to start two weeks later. “Black Friday” would have to be moved as well from the traditional day after Thanksgiving. And shoppers wouldn’t have the pressure of buying gifts at the last moment on the 24^th of December. They would be able to wait until the 7^th of January! What about school vacations (except for colleges)? And, The Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary would come before she has given birth.

A conundrum indeed!