Blessed Virgin Mary and birth of Jesus

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Scripture: Lectionary 197. Isaiah 7:10-14. Psalm 24:1-2.3-4.5-6 Luke 1:26-38:

Mary is called by Catholics the "Blessed Virgin Mary" and this title springs from Luke's Gospel who is the portrait painter of Mary.  It is he who has her speaking not only to an Angel but also has her addressing all with her Magnificat which lives on in the hearts of those seeking justice and peace. She takes the role of a prophetess in this hymn (Luke 1:46-56).  She is called by her cousin Elizabeth "Blessed among women." She is the personification of the Beatitudes making them come alive with her words and her example throughout her story in the New Testament.

The title Blessed Virgin stems from the readings of today and the fact that of all among the disciples she meets the criteria of a believing and action oriented disciple, the Queen of the Apostles!

We reflect today on her virginity in both the first reading and the Gospel. We are supplemented by the Infancy Narrative of Matthew to continue our reflection for he tells us in the genealogy that she as the only woman who does not fit the patterns of the "begat" statements about all the rest of those mentioned in the genealogy.  Matthew tells us "And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, and of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ." (Matt.1:16 ). Matthew also helps to complete the mention of her husband in what has been called "the footnote of the genealogy"—where Matthew gives us the dream the relieves the tense situation between Mary and joseph and he also cites our first reading in verse 14: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son; and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which is interpreted, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

In the Annunciation narrative from Luke we have the magnificent portrait of Mary the virgin from Nazareth who is completing what is said about a virgin conceiving in our first reading. Her "yes" brings about the awesome mystery of Jesus, the Son of God, becoming son of Mary for our salvation.  Both Joseph and Mary are in agreement on the naming of the child, the Savior (YESHOUAH).  Emmanuel is found only in Matthew and it is taken from our first reading from Isaiah.  Mary affirms her virginity in asking the question of Gabriel, "How shall this happen, since I do not know man?" We know that this expression means that she has never had a sexual relationship.  It will be exclusively a virgin birth because of the action of the Holy Spirit which has no sexual connotation: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35b). Mary accepts this for she knows that nothing is impossible with God.

Today then we have a prophetic voice telling us of a birth from a virgin (Almah/parthenos); then an Evangelist announcing this in the birth record of the messianic lineage, and finally Luke making this event known through the Annunciation.

During this season we chant the ancient hymn called Alma Redemptoris.  It contains in poetic form and chant the lessons and portrait of Mary spoken above through the Scriptures.  Here is the English translation for this wonderful Christmas season chant:

Loving Mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners. 

The Latin text is familiar to many of you:

            Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli

            Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti

            Surgere qui curat , populo: tu quae genuisti,

            Natura mirante, tuum sanctum  Genitorem,

            Virgo prius ac posterius. Gabrielis ab ore

            Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum Miserere.  Amen.