:: She said, “Yes, throughout all 8 services Thursday and Friday.”
:: I replied, “Wow, you are a brave woman, giving your baby to the Church like that.”
:: She said, “Yes, I hope he doesn’t cry too much.”
:: I said, “All babies cry, I am sure baby Jesus cried too.”
:: Here I am thinking how brave this woman is to allow her son to play the part of Jesus in a church production for 2 days. What a nice thing to do, and what an honor for her. Then after she left I thought, what about Mary, I can’t even begin to fathom the smallest amount of bravery, honor, sacrifice, love, and pain she had to bear being the Mama to Jesus. And tears filled my eyes.
The nativity set at our house.
:: I have a small disclaimer before I write my thoughts, I am not Catholic. I am Lutheran, but now that I am a Mama I understand why Mary is heralded as a Saint, and why they pray to her. She gave up her Son. <gulp> What a strong, giving, unselfish, amazing brave, honorable woman.
:: Thank you Mary, Mama of Jesus.
:: She birthed her son, felt the pain, only to have it all relieved when she held her sweet Son. Because of her circumstances, she had to place him in a manager to sleep the first night. Then, as our Pastor at Church described it – she welcomed strangers into their stable to meet her Son– and not just any strangers – Shepherds. According to Pastor, Shepherds were a “rough” bunch of men; probably comparable to a Chicago street gang for our standards. But this was Mary’s duty, it came with being the chosen Mama to Jesus, “Come on in, meet my Son.” I don’t want anyone to be too close to my 2 boys that I don’t know now or ever for that matter, let alone come to the hospital and meet my newborn son after I gave birth to him.
:: Thank you Mary, Mama of Jesus.
:: She nursed him, hushed him in the night, I am sure through illnesses that kept her up late into the night, without Motrin and antibiotics (see, she is a Saint), received his first smile, heard his first giggle, helped him learn to walk, wished and prayed for his future. She probably hoped for success for him in his chosen career path (I think we all agree he had success – not for Him to savor, but for us to reap the benefits), maybe she wished for grandchildren – or did she know his fate? Did she know what Jesus was meant for? Did she carry that knowledge around holding onto him so tight for as long as she could because she knew that she would watch him suffer and die someday?
:: Thank you Mary, Mama of Jesus.
:: And Joseph, the man chosen to be the Daddy of Jesus on Earth. I am certain Joseph was an amazing, patient, giving, Daddy. I am sure Mary and Joseph were in love. Why else would God choose him to be His Daddy? And I am sure he was an amazing Daddy to Jesus; teaching Him all about life and the difference between good/bad, right/wrong, love/hate. He went to work, earning a living, providing for his family. And Joseph loved His Mama with all his might, making the 3 of them a happy little family. Did he know, that this Son he was entrusted to raise on this Earth would die on the cross? Thank you, Joseph, Earthly Daddy of Jesus.
:: Thank you Mary, Mama of Jesus. She did what I could never do. She gave up her Son. For people she never knew, for people who were “bad people.” She gave up her Son for sinners: for my family and friends; for my husband, the Daddy of my 2 boys, whom I love with all my heart; for me, their Mama, who felt the pain of their birth and rewarded with loving them for the rest of all time. And for my 2 sons, who give me joy, laughter, my heart overflows with love because I am their Mama. And even when my little family cannot be together any longer on this Earth – which I hope and pray is an eternity away – we will be together again, with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, all loving together in Heaven. For this, Mary, gave her Son.
::Thank you Mary, Mama of Jesus.
My 2 sons, holding Mary and baby Jesus.
Readers: I know you are out there. As a Christmas gift to me please leave me a comment and let us know for why you are thankful for Mary, Mama of Jesus.
