Well, our Scripture readings focus us on the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly the moment of her response of faith to become the Mother of the Son of God. I submit that the best way to prepare for Christmas is to do just what our Scripture readings have done: to focus on Mary: so we can emulate her attitude, her faith, her response to God. And so I propose four short Marian Lessons to keep in mind—lessons from Mary’s own Advent journey.
The first lesson is from Mary’s Annunciation. From the angel’s lips, Mary heard that she was to conceive and bear a child, who would reign on the throne of David as the Son of the Most High. Gabriel had spoken of high and glorious things, and how does Mary respond? Her attitude here is so striking: her calm reserve and her humility; without pretension, without apparent anxiety, in plain ordinary words, Mary calls herself the handmaiden of the Lord—she identifies as a humble servant who trusts God.
The key to Mary’s calmness, her peacefulness, was not doubt her humility. For humility trusts the Lord in all things and seeks to serve the Lord in all things. Instead of placing the ego, at the center, humility places God’s Will at the center. If your family is anything like mine, Christmas can be a time of high drama, even some anxiety. So before Christmas dinner, before facing the in-laws, before the kids rip open the presents, pray, that you might follow Mary’s example of surrendering every moment to God’s will.
The second lesson is from Mary’s Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. Soon after the Annunciation, Mary “went in haste to the hill country of Judea”. Here is Mary, chosen by God for this monumental task, in a unique position in all of human history, facing many unknown realities. What is she going to tell her parents? What is she going to tell her husband Joseph? What are her neighbors going to think of her pregnancy, since she has not yet moved in with her husband? And what does the Blessed Mother do? She makes haste to take care of her cousin. If she was at all anxious, she doesn’t show it; she puts her questions aside and goes to help another.
Be like Mary: Be quick to help and serve each other this Christmas. I remember, at Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparents, nearly every year, there was all this drama about setting the dinner table, and again, when it was time to clear the table after dinner. Cousins would complain, aunts would argue. It seemed like everyone was keeping track of what everyone else was doing. Christmas isn’t about serving those who serve us, but charity without measure, making haste, like Mary, to help in any way you can. It’s not about keeping track, but simply giving what you can when you can, even seeking out opportunities to serve and to give.
The third lesson is from Mary’s Journey with Joseph to Bethlehem. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 65 miles and took four or five days: 65 miles, probably on the back of a donkey, through rocky terrain, while nine months pregnant. Mary also had to face that her Son, the Son of God, would not be born in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her close family. Rather, he would be born in a foreign town, hopefully in the comfort of an inn, but you never know.
The need to travel to Bethlehem for the Census was beyond her control, here we see Mary’s trust and also her willingness to suffer: her willingness to trust God amidst suffering without complaint. As you gather with family, there will likely be some things which are beyond your control—some annoyances you will likely have to suffer quietly and patiently. It may be the unnerving way your in-laws comment on your life choices; it may also be the sad revelation that family members aren’t living the Catholic faith as they should. Like Mary, bear the small annoyances quietly and patiently, and set good Christian example for those who need it.
The fourth Advent lesson is lesson from the Nativity. Having humbly surrendered to God’s will, having made haste to help others, having quietly and patiently suffered months of pregnancy and miles of difficult travel, Mary was able to behold the Christ child in her arms and behold his face in peaceful joy. We too must take time, amidst the busy-ness of the holiday, and hold the holy infant, so tender and mild, in our hearts and souls. “Cum Maria contemplemur Christi vultum”: with Mary, let us contemplate the face of Christ. Beholding the face of the infant Christ Child is a special type of prayer unique to this time of year as the image of Mother and Child is presented so vividly to us. Take time with your family to kneel in prayer before the nativity scene, to put yourself, to kneel down with shepherds and wise men, and simply behold him.
To keep Christ in Christmas, and to experience true Christmas peace and joy, requires active cooperation with the will of God. Humility isn’t easy, charity isn’t easy, bearing difficulty and suffering isn’t easy, and prayer isn’t easy. But with the help of Our Lady, Mary Most Holy, we are able to cooperate with God, like her, most generously, and experience the closeness and splendor of the Christ child, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
