Christmas through Mary's Eyes

 

Let us enter into this holy night when Jesus was born through the eyes and Heart of Mary. When Caesar August made a decree that all the world should be enrolled for a census everyone had to return to their hometown from their family generation and register. Joseph took Mary his pregnant wife on an 80-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. But back then, they had no cars or trains or airplanes. Being poor, Joseph and Mary had a donkey that would carry their provisions and allow Mary to sit upon his back, but not the whole journey, for that was too long for the animal to carry an adult. Rich people had horses or camels, but Joseph and Mary were poor, and so had a lowly donkey. It would have been very difficult traveling for a woman 9 months pregnant. From all the jostling while ridding the donkey, Mary wouldn’t have been very comfortable. Due to walking with the donkey, it would take 3 or 4 days to make the long journey. They would have had to sleep out in the open air at night for 3 nights. Where they camped, Joseph gathered wood and lit a fire for the couple to keep warm. It would be a 20-mile daily walk for 4 days. Their feet must have been sore. They must have been thirsty and hungry and eating only the small provisions they brought with them. They needed to be sure the donkey had grain, and stopped every now and then, so it could drink water by a stream. Surely Joseph and Mary prayed the psalms together, that all Jews memorized, and daily prayed together. Mary noticed the hidden sacrifices of Joseph. She saw his bloody feet from walking. She saw how he ate less to allow Mary to eat more. She saw how he was careful to protect Her from passerby's heading in the opposite direction. She witnessed his humility, his trust and how he prayed so fervently when alone. When they weren’t talking, Mary prayed to the unborn Jesus in Her womb, and to God the Father in heaven, asking the Lord for safe travel, to help the world to be ready for the birth of Her child, and asked God to bless the world with peace.

Mary’s intellect and memory was perfect because She didn’t suffer from original sin. Therefore, Mary’s memory would have easily recalled the prophecy of Micah, that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The prophet said “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” She therefore knew She was going to give birth to Him in Bethlehem.

She understood, She fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, “a virgin shall conceive and bear and son and name Him Emmanuel, because God is with us.” When the angel appeared to Her, and announced She was going to bear a Son, and name Him Jesus, because He would free the people from their sins, She knew His role would be to reunite humanity back to God, to undo Adam’s disobedience. She knew by the angel’s words, Jesus is an eternal King whose throne would be given to Him by his father David and His kingdom would not end. Therefore, out of humility, She knew when Jesus came into Her womb, She was a queen, because back then, the mother of the Jewish King was a queen. Mary also knew within Her womb was the Messiah, and so is the Mother of the Messiah. But something began to cause Her to become anxious. The words from Isaiah, haunted her, that said, His hands and feet would be pierced and that He would be scorned and mocked. She wondered how this would be for Her Son. She understood that if Jesus was the Son of the Most High, that He is God, and therefore, She is the Mother of God. Imagine the prayers She prayed to Her unborn Child, when She carried Her divine Son in Her womb for 9 months. Imagine Her humility by not saying a word to anyone about who He is within Her. Imagine Her prayers to the unborn baby Jesus for humanity, for the Jewish people to accept Him, love Him and honor Him. Within Her womb, She adores thy divine Majesty; she gives thanks to His mercy; she rejoices that she has was chosen for the sublime ministry of being Mother to God. How She must have looked forward to moment She would gaze upon the real and true face God. She certainly could not wait to hold Him in Her arms, to lavish Him with kisses, and pour Her love into His tiny beating Heart. How She praised God for allowing Her to always remain a virgin, and yet be a mother, and so She would comfort, console, take care of, and breastfeed Her child. She longed for the day, She would bathe Him, teach Him to walk, explain the scriptures and ask Him questions, knowing He is God and had all the answers.

When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, they stood in line at the census booth, and when it was their turn, the holy couple recorded their names of “Joseph and Mary of the house of David”. But since the child was not yet born, His name was not to be recorded. They longed to sleep indoors, to get cleaned up from their travel, and to rest in a nice warm inn. But after going door to door, Joseph became sad and upset that he was unable to provide a comfortable place for his pregnant wife about to give birth. He was hurt by the cold hearted innkeepers. Mary trusted God would provide a place for them, and She prayed for those who were rude to them. Back then most people were born in homes and perhaps even at times in an inn. The shepherds who lived out in the field, had to give birth in caves or in tents. Mary and Joseph wondered where they would spend the night? Finally, a woman carrying a pail of water pointed out to them, a cave with animals. In the cave was a stable, and it smelled like manure from the ox and cattle within in it. Joseph gathered some straw, cleaned the floor of the cave and laid straw on the ground for Mary to lay down. Just after he gathered firewood and lit the fire, he went to fetch some water for them to drink. But when he was away, it is then, Mary laid down on the soft blanket. Because She did not suffer from original sin, She was not under the curse of Eve, whom the God said, would have labor pains during childbirth. Mary therefore, would not suffer any pain when giving birth.

Mary suddenly felt a profound peace come over Her. Her heart started to race, because She was excited about being able to hold the infant in Her arms. Suddenly from Her womb a light burst forth from Her side, and there on the blanket, beside Her, laid the Infant Jesus. She quickly grabbed Him and hugged Him to Her chest, weeping tears of joy, She kissed His face and looked at His tiny hands and feet with awe. She cried out, “O Jesus, my God and my baby, how I longed to see your face. Who am I, that you would have me be Your Mother. You created the sun, the moon, the stars, all the wild creatures, the mountains, and flowers, streams, rivers and oceans, and yet you come to us, as a helpless baby to save this dark world from sin. O little Child, O divine Infant, light of the world, I pray for peace in the world, in our hearts and in our families. By the power and grace of your birth split the hearts made of rock and touch the souls of men and women everywhere to grant their conversion. O little Child, who is God, You came to save us from the devil and bring us into the light of heaven. I rejoice with the angels and with all my heart, for you have done great things for us and here You are now coming to us as a baby, so we won’t be afraid to come to you. O how I love you baby Jesus. I adore you my God and my Son. Bless Joseph and Me and help us to fulfill your will.”

So full is Her heart of that divine joy that she cannot keep it to herself, and desires, and even longs to be able to draw others into such a joy. In this moment of the birth of Christ, we are able to understand something of the immense depths

As Mary adored Him, He began to shiver, and so, and from her travel bag, she pulled out swaddling bands of cloth, and wrapped His little body, to keep Him warm. When She was holding Him, and gazing upon Him with the tender love of Her Heart, Joseph arrived and witnessed the sublime silhouette as the light of the fire lit the faces of the Mary and the Child. This image would remain, in His memory for the rest of His life. There they were, Mother and Child. She held Him tightly in Her arms and covered His little body with Her mantle. The image of the Madonna and Child, touched his manly heart. The little babe looked intently at Joseph and as their eyes met, they were both filled with joy. The Infant smiled at him and Joseph’s heart leapt in amazement.

Suddenly, in the distance, they could hear angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people on earth”. Then there was silence, no animal moved, no owl hooted, the wind suddenly died down, and the silence of the night penetrated the entire earth.

Joseph cleaned the manger, used as a feeding trough, and laid soft hay within it. Mary took the Child Jesus, and laid Him in the manger and the two knelt down and bowed in adoration weeping for love of the little babe. Within a few minutes, shepherds from the field came bringing curds, milk, and honey and a few sheep. One of them spoke up and told them what they witnessed in the field with their sheep. He said, “An angel appeared to us and then there was a multitude of angels who sang. The angel told us to go quickly to Bethlehem and you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” They asked to hold the baby Jesus, because as the angel said, “He is the Savior, who is the Christ, who is the Lord.” Joseph hesitated. He didn’t want strangers to touch the Child. But Mary nodded giving Her permission, She wanted all to adore Him. The Virgin Mary pondered how God chose the lowliest of the people in the area, who lived outside and had no homes of their own to reveal this incredible event and who the Child truly was. He was not born in a home or a palace for a king and not even in an inn, but rather in a cave where poor people were born. He wanted to be like the least of us, so that we would understand His love for everyone.

On this holy night, let us all look into the manger and cry out with joy, as we gaze upon the Divine Child with Mary and Joseph. “O Come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”