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The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made
known the message that had been told them about this child. All who
heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Luke 2:16–19
At the birth of Christ, the Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Heart was
full of love and grace, so full that it overflowed in
superabundance. Her human heart could not contain all that consumed
it. Seeing her Child, having Saint Joseph near, and being
accompanied by God’s creatures within that sacred cave near
Bethlehem was all that she needed for her complete fulfillment. But
God gave her even more.
As that holy night unfolded, an angel of the Lord appeared to the
poor shepherds tending their flocks in the fields. The angel
announced “good news of great joy that will be for all the people”
(Luke 2:10). The angel went on to declare, “Today in the city of
David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And
this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in
swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11–12). Then, a
multitude of heavenly hosts appeared, glorifying God with their
song of praise.
Such an experience compelled these lowly shepherds to immediately
seek out this newborn Messiah. When they found Him, they revealed
to our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph what the angel had said to
them, and “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her
heart” (Luke 2:19). It is this Immaculate Heart and the motherhood
of the Blessed Virgin Mary that we celebrate today.
Because Mary’s Immaculate Heart was overflowing with love and
grace, these humble shepherds gave her the opportunity to share
that love and grace. While they blessed her and Saint Joseph by
their presence and adoration, she blessed them even more by being
an instrument and mediatrix of God’s love through her newborn
Son.
Mary was not only the mother of the flesh of her Son, but the
mother of the Person Who is the Son of God. For this reason, the
Church, in Her wisdom, has ascribed to her the title, “Mother of
God.” Jesus was her Son, and Jesus is God. Therefore, she is
rightly honored as the Mother of God.
As the Mother of God, Mary’s Immaculate Heart continues to overflow
with love and grace. Just as she did with the shepherds on that
first Christmas night, her heart continues to pour forth all that
it contains upon us, her spiritual sons and daughters. The extent
to which we are members of Christ’s Body, the Church, is the extent
to which the Blessed Mother’s motherhood is active in our lives,
just as it was in the life of her Son and as it touched the lives
of the shepherds.
Reflect today on this glorious title given to Jesus’ mother—the
Mother of God. As you do, ponder the role she plays in your life
and in the life of the entire Church. By giving birth to the
Messiah, the Son of God, she gave birth to the Church, becoming
mother and mediatrix to us all. Seek her intercession, mediation,
and motherhood, knowing that doing so not only honors her Son, but
also cooperates with His divine plan of salvation.
Most glorious Mother of God, your Immaculate Heart is
overflowing with love and the fullness of grace. Your love for all
of God’s children compels you to share that grace with all who come
to you and your divine Son. Please count me among your children and
lavish upon me all that is contained in your pondering heart of
pure love and grace. Mother of God, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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