1 January 2020
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
When the shepherds arrived at Bethlehem, they found Mary and Joseph and the newly born baby. No word seems to have been spoken. Silence seems to have enfolded all. By her facial expression and the body language Mary must have used to invite the shepherds to join her in her prayer and recollection, she now invites me to do the same.
At the time, she must have recalled all the events of her life leading up to this moment. If at the Annunciation, where there was a lot of talking going on, questioning the angel about the future and trying later to live out those questions in faith, now, as she quietly places hew newborn in the manger, she sees the answer.
But this answer must have brought about more questions, and these she was now contemplating with an ever-growing faith. In silence she tells me to join with her in prayerfully contemplating questions I have about the future.
Then, after the shepherds left, she and Joseph remained faithful to the law. They gave the child, God Made Man, the name Jesus, Savior. To accept the Savior means to work with him for the salvation of the world. Joined with Mary, I can learn what that can mean for me, now and during the new year that begins unfolding today.