I love Christmas, I really do. Despite my growing frustrations with the winter months, Christmas continues to be my favorite holiday. Whether because of my temperament or past events, though, Christmas tends to have a lonely feeling for me. Particularly during college when I was working over the holidays and had to be away from family and friends, Christmas became an event of saying goodbye rather than being able to be with the people that I loved.
Today I felt that same type of sadness. We left GP to come back to KC. I have realized over the past few years that both my mom and I have very tender hearts when it comes to having to say goodbye. And over the course of the day I found out about the passings of some individuals who have been battling health issues over the Christmas holidays. We can usually expect to hear about engagements over the holidays, and look forward to "Christmas babies," but hearing about people passing away over what is supposed to be a warm, comfy holiday makes my heart ache so much for their family and friends.
In the movie The Passion of the Christ, there is a scene which is an oasis in the midst of the abuses heaped on Jesus, in which He is able to connect with His Mother, and He tells her, "See, I make all things new." And how Mary trusted in her Son to make good on His promise!
We have been blessed with mystics who have given accounts of visions of Mary's life, even after her Son's passing and rising. She ministered to those around her, and was even able to encounter Him again in the intimacy of the Holy Eucharist. Can you imagine, based on the faith of Mary, how overwhelmingly comforted she must have been to be so united with him again, as she was when she carried Him in her womb?
As I was reflecting on the sadness which touches the Christmas holiday for me this evening, I was suddenly comforted by the personal encounter I was able to cherish with my husband. Sitting in Denny's staring across at him over a table of warm food and hot chocolate, I knew that there was no need to dwell in it alone. And so Mary teaches us that our encounters with sadness are never absolute, for her Son has defeated death by his own and breaks into our presence in the gentlest of appearances, under the forms of bread and wine. Let us run, like Mary, to our Eucharistic Lord and adore Him who has blessed us with His ever-present love.
Mary, Tabernacle of the Lord, pray for us!
I'm so sorry to hear about people passing in close proximity to Christmas; that's a blessing for them, but very sad for everyone dealing with the deaths. This is a beautiful reflection on Mary, and on marriage-how we don't need to dwell on those sorrows or burdens alone, because we have Christ, the Communion of Saints, and our husbands! I hope that you have a blessed rest of your Christmas season!
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