In spite of the various religious debates about her centrality in the Christmas story, Mary the mother of Jesus is a poignant figure.
An angel comes to meet her, gives her news that must have been overwhelming, and then provides reassurance that this is not an experience to be feared but one that indicates she is highly favoured. She goes through the experience of pregnancy, shares the joy with her cousin, Elizabeth, experiences the awkward chronology of how all this fits with virginity, has the child in a non-descript location, and watches shepherds worship her newborn.
In the early adolescent years of Jesus, she and her husband go through normal parental angst as he disappears for three days. Ironically, when they do find him and express their anxiety around the search, he wonders why they were looking for him and he gives them an answer they did not understand.
It makes perfect sense that in the midst of all this busyness, disruption, and confusion, “his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Silent reflection is a good posture when in the presence of God incarnate.
