Nothing Short of Miraculous

Today’s feast—the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary—is a special occasion for joy. Nine months ago, Mary was immaculately conceived. Today, we celebrate her birth.

Not much can be found about the birth of Mary within the gospel stories. Our primary source of information comes from the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James. Here we learn that Mary’s parents, the pious Joachim and Anna, were childless for a long time, but through their ceaseless prayers, they had not stopped asking God to give them a child.

A new life in the family brings much joy. But when you factor in the long years of not being able to have a child and then, finally, God grants you the gift of a new life—can you imagine the awe, joy and gratitude that Joachim and Anna experienced?

Mary’s birth is nothing short of miraculous. It speaks of God’s power, goodness and mercy. It speaks of God’s ability to “break-into” our very lives and change them radically—in a good way.

From the very beginning, Mary’s life was marked in a special way. As we know, her life and mission was unique. She was the daughter that would become the Mother of God. The miraculous events in Mary’s life foreshadow an even greater miracle of God’s work in salvation history, that of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord. (Entrance Antiphon)

-Natalia Kononenko, Editor, Living with Christ, Canada’s Companion to Praying and Living the Eucharist