Day 24

We have arrived at Christmas Eve, the night of Jesus’ birth and we return to a very human figure, Mary the mother of Our Lord.

The actual birth of Jeus is accomplished without much discussion in the Bible but Mary immediately cares for her baby as any other would – preparing swaddling clothes and wrapping Jesus in them. Mary does not feature often in the story of Jesus’ life after his birth but when she does, it is always in the role of someone who cares deeply for her son. Mary is therefore presented as the archetype of motherhood.

Mary’s role is to underline who Jesus is – she guarantees his humanity by her humanity, and as the Mother of God, she is also witness to his divinity.