Sunday, December 6th, is St. Nicholas Day, which honors the early Christian saint who many believe was the inspiration for Santa Claus.

For Catholics, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which celebrates their belief that Mary was conceived without sin. On that day, Pope Francis will launch what he has designated a holy Year of Mercy. Francis has asked that it be a time of special pilgrimages and extra spiritual blessings. In an interview with an Italian Catholic magazine, he said given all the news about cruelty and atrocities, the world needs mercy and “a revolution of tenderness.”