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First, let's set a little groundwork.

We must first keep in mind that the author of Genesis was NOT attempting to give his audience a scientific explanation of the formation of the cosmos. Rather, he is presenting a THEOLOGICAL explanation of the formation of the cosmos and the origin of man that offers insights into the meaning of actual, historical events.

The Pontifical Biblical Commission issued a Decree on the Historical Character of the First Three Chapters of Genesis and came to the following conclusions as to what should be regarded as historical in the opening chapters of Genesis.

1. The creation of all things by God at the beginning of time.
2. The special creation of man.
3. The formation of the first woman from man.
4. The unity of the human race. (We really are one family.)
5. The original happiness of our first parents in a state of justice (original righteousness), integrity (their souls governed their bodies, their intellects led their wills), and immortality (they would have gone on living forever without corruption).
6. The divine command laid on man to prove his obedience. (probationary trial)
7. The transgression of that command at the instigation of the devil in the form of a serpent.
8. The fall of our first parents from their primitive state of innocence.
9. The promise of a future redeemer.

Given the above, a correct interpretation of Genesis does not require one to hold the position that God created the entire cosmos in six 24-hour earth days. (However, one may legitimately hold that position, and in fact there is much scientific evidence for creation and the flood.)

One must realize that the author of Genesis was not attempting to give his audience a scientific explanation of the cosmos (but rather a theological explanation) and that therefore the days mentioned can refer to certain periods of time, the actual length of which are not necessarily confined to scientific 24-hour earth days.

Following is a basic outline of Genesis 1 that helps bring out the theology that the author is trying to communicate to his audience.

Genesis starts out with a description of pre-creation as being "formless" and "void" (formlessness and emptiness). The author of Genesis then goes on to describe how God resolves these two problems.

FORMLESSNESS RESOLVED BY GOD BY ESTABLISHING REALMS
1st Day - Light and Dark is seperated. Day and Night created. This is the realm of TIME.
2nd Day - Waters are seperated. Sky is created. This is the realm of SPACE.
3rd Day - Waters under the sky are gathered together. Dry land and vegetation are created. This is the realm of LIFE.

EMPTINESS RESOLVED BY GOD BY ESTABLISHING RULERS IN THE REALMS.
4th Day - Sun, moon, stars are created to mark the fixed times and seasons. They are the rulers of TIME.
5th Day - Birds and water animals are created. They are the rulers of SPACE.
6th Day - Land animals are created. At the climax Man is created. Man is given dominion over the animals. Man is the ruler of LIFE.

7th Day - No material creation is performed. Day of completion and rest. This day is the only day blessed and sanctified (hollowed) by God. It is the sign of His covenant with all creation. This day is the only day without the mention of an evening and morning. It is an eternal day. A sabbath day. A sign of God's eternal covenant with His creation. The sabbath is to time what the temple is to space. The 7th (sabbath) day is a sacred time, just as the temple is a sacred space. It is a day of remembering and renewing God's covenant with us and all creation. It puts all the previous days of creation into perspective. God is the Ultimate Ruler over all creation and all the other (lesser) realms and rulers of creation. But God is not an impersonal distant Ruler. Rather, because a covenant forms a sacred family bond, God's covenant with creation transforms His relationship with creation from Creator into Father. God is the Father of Creation. God is especially the Father of the human beings; and incidentally, the virgin earth created by God is presented in Genesis 2 as being the mother of the human beings. This new covenant relationship with God is evidenced by the name change of God in Genesis 1 from Elohim (God) to His covenant name of Yahweh Elohim (Lord God) in Genesis 2 -3.

I think this theological perspective of Genesis 1 offers a far richer source of insight into our origins than does a modern, western, scientific perspective - a perspective that the author of Genesis certainly did not share with us.