Today we celebrate more than the start of a new year. We also celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of God, for without her, we could not have celebrated Christmas. Sometimes, we lose sight of that reality. We see the nativity as Jesus lying on the hay. With such an image, it is hard to think of the infant as fully God and yet he is. The title, “Mother of God” says more about Jesus than it does about Mary.
Misunderstanding this title has caused tragic divisions among Christians. First of all, the title, Mother of God, doesn’t suggest that Mary existed before God did or that she is equal to God. Because of her role in salvation history, some call her co-redeemer but like us, Mary is fully human. She had two parents just as we do. Secondly, we do not worship Mary. We worship God alone. We honor Mary, who was first honored by God.
At the Council of Nicea in the year 325, the prayer known as the Nicene Creed was put forth which proclaimed that Jesus had two natures: divine and human. Consequently, the Council Fathers called Mary Theotokos, which means God-bearer. This was affirmed at the Council of Ephesus two centuries later. During this time in Church history, many denied the divinity of Jesus. By saying that Mary is the Mother of God, the Council was stating that her son was truly divine and truly human.
Mary is Theotokos because Jesus was born of her flesh and blood. When she said yes at the annunciation, the Word became flesh in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit. Nine months later, she gave birth to the baby Jesus. She and Joseph helped him grow in grace and wisdom and age. She changed his diapers and nursed him. Years later, she stood at the foot of the cross, then held her crucified son in her arms.
In a sense, we too are “Christ-bearers.” Through his spirit, Christ lives in us. When we love and serve, we give birth to Christ anew in our time and place. When we work for peace and justice, when we care for the poor and less fortunate, love the unlovable, we make Christ present to others. the Christ we receive in the Eucharist is the Christ we share the rest of the day. Not only is this an awesome gift, it is also an awesome responsibility.
Like Mary, ponder these things in your heart. May this new year be filled with much blessings for you and your loved ones. May you in turn be a blessing to others in his name.
On this octave of Christmas, I am drawn to Moses’ prayer:
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
May the Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
May the Lord look kindly upon you and give you peace all the days of your life!