The Immaculate Conception is a public holiday in Colombia, celebrated on December 8th every year. This religious and deeply ingrained event in Colombian culture is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the doctrine that emphasizes her conception without original sin. In Roman Catholicism, it is the belief that Mary was devoid of original sin from the very moment of her conception. Despite confusion, it's significant to mention that the Immaculate Conception does not refer to the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, but to the conception of the Virgin Mary herself.
Throughout the country, people celebrate the Immaculate Conception with family gatherings, prayers, and masses in church. Cities and homes are decorated with candles and lanterns, which illuminate the streets in a warm, cheerful glow. A traditional Colombian event connected to this holiday is the 'Night of the Candles' or 'Día de las Velitas,' which starts on the evening of December 7th, leading up to the day of Immaculate Conception. This night of festivities, lighted candles, and lanterns symbolize the faith in the Virgin Mary's immaculate conception and the undying hope of people.
Although it is a day of quiet celebration and reflection, the Immaculate Conception has significant socio-cultural impacts on Colombia. It provides an opportunity for families and communities to come together in the cold season, fostering unity, compassion, and love. Also, the vibrant and luminous display of lanterns and candles on the night of December 7th has a simultaneous artistic and religious expression, enriching the cultural heritage of Colombia. Regardless of this being a religious commemoration, it is a day respected and celebrated by all due to its profound historical and cultural significance.