Today I am linking up with The Kennedy Adventures Saint & Scripture Sunday link-up!
This past Sunday was March 25th exactly 9 more shopping days until Christmas. It was also the feast of the Annunciation. In case you didn’t know the Annunciation is when the angel Gabriel visits Mary and Jesus is conceived in her womb. Until about a month ago I didn’t even realize that there was a feast day for this. I always knew there were a MILLION “Mary” Feast days but I didn’t really know what they were all called and what we were celebrating on each of the different days.
Every year when December 8th rolls around I know now that we are celebrating the BIRTH of Mary without Original Sin. But due to its closeness to Christmas (and the readings they use at mass) I was one of those catholics that thought we were celebrating “The Annunciation.” I can even remember some people saying, “How was Jesus conceived on December 8th and born in only 3 weeks time?” And I just brushed it off that it was a “miracle” or that well he was really born in the summertime but we just celebrate it in December. [That information is true but that is a TOTALLY different blog post!]
I really like this feast day because everyone is always putting Mary up on this pedestal but what people forget is she was human. Mary had to go through pregnancy just like every other women does today. I’m sure she got morning sickness, crazy cravings, crazy mood swings, and suffered through many other symptoms of pregnancy. A few weeks ago we watched the Catholicism video about Mary and my pastor said he had a professor in the seminary that would tell everyone, “Mary had to change poopy diapers too!!” And it’s true! Mary also lived in a time without modern conveniences like running water, baby wipes, electricity and other modern baby items.
The point being is that Mary was a Mother no different than you are a mother (if you happen to have children) or your own mothers. I really wish the bible told us more about Jesus when he was growing up. I think it would create some interesting bible stories about Jesus as a child and Mary as a Mother.