This Christmas, “Think of My Son”

Counting when I was pregnant with our little love, this will be the third Christmas that I have been a mother.   As a mother, I look at baby Jesus in the manger, nestled in between the most pure Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph and feel overwhelmingly happy to belong to Him.  I think of my son and how much joy and how many blessings he has brought to our family since he was born. 
 
As a mother, I also think of how our Blessed Mother would feel during this season leading up to the celebration of our Savior’s coming into the world.  I think of how she, the Mother of us all, would feel about her children at what is known as ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’  Here is what I think she would tell me and all of us.
 
When you are shopping for gifts for family members or friends, think of my Son.
When you see a man dressed as Santa Claus posing for photos with children, think of my Son.
When someone wishes you ‘Happy Holidays’, think of my Son.
When someone wishes you “Merry Christmas’, think of my Son.
When someone ignores your “Merry Christmas” greeting, think of my Son.
When you drive past an elaborately decorated house, illuminated with endless lights, think of my Son.
When you sip a cup of steaming hot cocoa either alone or snuggled up with loved ones, think of my Son.
When you listen to Christmas music, even if it is about a snowman or a reindeer, think of my Son.
When you are vying for the last parking spot at the mall and someone steals your spot, think of my Son.
When you are up late at night wrapping endless gifts, think of my Son.
When you are shopping for groceries to prepare a Christmas feast, think of my Son.
When you are baking cookies and getting them ready to give to loved ones, think of my Son.
When you feel the burden of Christmas parties, decorations and other obligations, think of my Son.
When you are tired, stressed, worried, anxious or otherwise burdened, think of my Son.
When you feel worried that you won’t be good enough this Christmas, think of my Son.
When you are sad because the Christmas season is missing a loved one, think of my Son.
When you are sad for whatever reason and not feeling the ‘Christmas spirit’, think of my Son.
When you drive past my Son’s home, consider going inside the Church to be with my Son.
 
During this entire Advent season leading up to the birth of my Son at Christmas, think of Him.
 
Think of my Son coming into this world, which is the same world in which you live. 
Think of my Son at that hour and moment ‘at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.’
Think of my Son at that very moment in which the entire world stood still when he was born.
 
Think of why my Son was born: for our salvation, for your salvation.
 
 
I am promising to take moments this Advent, even when I am not in prayer, at Mass or saying the Rosary, to think of Jesus.  Whether I am happily wrapping presents or trying to keep cool when someone steals my spot in a busy parking lot.  I hope you will too.  Please share with us on Facebook.
 
As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
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