In Spain and other countries today is known as the Expectation of Mary to allow for a look back to the Annunciation nine months ago.

On this day 18 December the Virgin Mary is often referred to as Mary of the O because this is the second day of the O Antiphons heard at evening prayer.

An early 17th-century painting called The Virgin of the Expectation of Childbirth depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by the seven O Antiphons.