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By Maximilian Watner
Guest Columnist

Some time ago a friend invited me to his son’s birthday celebration. There were presents, chocolate cake, and all the regular festivities. But amidst the toy trucks and new coloring books, I noticed that one small package remained unopened, saved for later. It was a gift for the boy’s mother. Such special thoughtfulness impressed upon me that a birthday is a day of joy for the child, of course, but also a time to honor the unforgettable role of a brave and loving mother.

The birthday of Jesus fills us with joy because God loved us so much that He became man. Mary, the mother of Jesus, plays an intimate and essential role in this. The angel Gabriel awaits her free consent to become the mother of Jesus.  You might say that all creation held its breath at the moment of the Annunciation, waiting for her answer. Christmas is a day to honor her, too, and this doesn’t detract from our praise of Jesus. My friend’s son didn’t resent that his dad tenderly remembered his mom with a gift on his birthday, and neither does Jesus; much to the contrary!

Mary is worthy of honor because she is truly the Mother of God. Jesus has a complete human nature, just like us, but also a complete Divine Nature. While possessing two natures, He is only one Person, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Mary can truly be called the Mother of God, because the whole Jesus was born of her. Now, if she is the mother of the whole Christ, she is also our mother, for we are His members (I Corinthians 12:27).

How can we honor Mary on Christmas? We can do this in much the same way as we honor our earthly mothers. Often, that means a phone call. Catholics say a short prayer called the “Hail Mary” that is sort of the same idea as a phone call. It’s a quick moment that you set aside to tell your mom that you love her. The words of this prayer are taken from Luke 1: 28 & 42, when the Angel Gabriel greets Mary and when Elizabeth praises her. By praying the Hail Mary, we celebrate with our Heavenly Mother her life’s most precious moment and the greatest privilege God gave her. We recall not only our salvation, but her role in it. The prayer runs, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Try to say this prayer three times each morning and three times each evening and you will quickly find out how much your Heavenly Mother appreciates your little efforts to show your gratitude.  It will be a little something to make this truly a Mary Christmas.

BROTHER MAXIMILIAN WATNER is on the staff at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Buckingham County. He can be reached at webmaster@stas.org.