Happy Medieval European New Year!

Yes, it's Annunciation time once again, the feast that determined the date of Christmas. And yes, this was once the beginning of Europe's year, until the Gregorian calendar came in. (The Saxons and Germans had to be different, and started the year on December 25.) Here's a good page on the old Julian calendar.

The reason this was once considered the beginning of the church year is that Mary's yes to God undid Eve's no. Human history began again as the new Adam was conceived; the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, in Mary's womb.

May we also give God our trust, cooperation and service.