As we excitedly anticipate the arrival of our Lord and Savior, I am also reminded of the humility
and trust of His mother, Mary. I think of her at the foot of the cross, as she likely reminisced the very day she brought our Lord into this world. She was trusting from beginning to the end, with
an immeasurable amount of grace, faith and strength that could only come from God. Our
Mother Mary and the woman in today’s first reading were both called to give over their sons to
our Lord and did it with the same trust in God’s bigger plan.
I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
She left Samuel there.1 Sm 1:26-28
Being a mom to my eight-month-old son, the very thought of leaving him and watching his little
eyes follow me into the distance makes my heart ache. I wonder how I could have that kind of
faith and strength to totally hand over my own flesh and blood for God’s greater plan. This
ultimate sacrifice should be at the forefront of our hearts and minds this Christmas. There really
is no greater gift we will receive than Mary’s “yes” to God and the birth of our Lord.
