How do you react to Mary? Today is one of the days in the year on which the Church celebrates Mary the Mother of our Lord. 8th December is the date on which Roman Catholics celebrate the Immaculate Conception (the belief that Mary was conceived without sin). Anglicans who don't believe that Mary was conceived without sin commemorate 'the Conception of Mary' or 'the Birth of Mary' today.
For some Christians, December is one of the few times of the year when they think about Mary. Other Christians think about Mary throughout the year. There's a lot more to Mary and her relationship with Jesus than the appearance of Gabriel to Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and her giving birth to our Lord.
Christians admire Mary for her 'yes' to God and for her trust in God. At times she seemed to wonder what was going on and wondered if her son was mad but she stuck by him. It's clear that by the end of Jesus' ministry, Mary was one of the fellowship of believers. She was one of the Christians gathered praying when the tongues of fire came down at Pentecost.
Contemplatives note that Mary had a contemplative side, pondering things in her heart.
Charismatics note that she had a charismatic side. She was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, she uttered a prophetic song when she visited Elizabeth, and she may well have been one of those speaking in tongues at Pentecost and thereafter.
Christians who emphasise the human realities of Mary's life point out how she must have been on the receiving end of a lot of rumours and rejection when she became pregnant. They also point out from Mary's song when she visited Elizabeth that Mary had quite a radical 'social justice' side to her. The Gospel according to Mark suggests the likely reality that Mary had to go on her own journey over many years of growing in understanding of who Jesus was.
Some Christians point out her generous nature in sharing her son with the world. (Many statues of Mary depict her holding Jesus out towards us). Even soon after Jesus was born, Mary was generous in entertaining strangers and letting them see her son. Just as God the Father gave up his Son for us on the cross, there was an element in which Mary had to do the same.
Some Christians contemplate the sorrows that Mary had to go through in her role as Mother of Jesus, and in her role in God's salvation. When she and Joseph presented baby Jesus at the Jerusalem Temple, Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce Mary's heart. Mary had to become a refugee on the run with her baby, she lost her son in the crowds when he was 12 years old, and she had to witness the crucifixion and burial of her son.
There are also many joys in Mary's life to contemplate: the announcement Gabriel brought to her, the birth of Jesus, seeing how others responded so profoundly to this special child, knowing her son had been resurrected from the dead, knowing that he had ascended into Heaven, and being part of the early Church and what God was doing through a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians view Mary as a great role model for themselves, especially in terms of her response to God, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be it to me according to your word." Many Christians are very moved by all that Mary went through, effectively for their benefit. Many Christians experience Mary always pointing them towards Jesus (just like at the wedding in Cana when Mary said to those present, "Do whatever he tells you"). Many Christians also like to ask Mary to pray for them, just like we might especially value the prayers of an older Christian who we consider very prayerful and close to God.
Some Christians are a bit wary of devotion to Mary because she seems to be worshipped. Mary is never worshipped. She is revered. Worship is only for God.
What is your initial reaction to Mary?
Has reading this post changed how you think about her at all?
As you see images of Mary over the coming weeks (on Christmas cards or elsewhere), you might like to experiment with looking at her and asking yourself what you admire about her or like about her. Perhaps you might like to consider what you are grateful to her for.