Hail Mary ~ A Note from Katy

By Katy Agro Myers

Before we start let me just note: I have Faith-it might not be perfect and I have questioned it over the years. I teach Sunday School and try to focus on living with kindness and spreading love. I'm not perfect, I may not get it right all the time. But I try. These really are just my ramblings!

Christmas is upon us and for some of us, that means celebrating the birth of Jesus. We definitely get excited about Jesus' birthday in my house. We celebrate with family meals, presents, praying, even one year we sang happy birthday to Jesus! But what about Mary? Personally, I don't think we spend enough time thinking about her.

Let's start with that Immaculate Conception. In those times - Mary was married but pregnant with a baby that was not her husband's baby. Was she ostracized? Was she chastised? Was she shocked and alone? I was anxious about both of my pregnancies but think about it. You're Mary. Boom, you're pregnant with the son of God! Umm, I don't know about you, but me? I think I'd be freaking out.

Then let's talk about this journey to Bethlehem. You get to your destination and there's no room at the Inn? OMG. If I went on a trip with my husband (or fiance) when I was nine months pregnant and there was no place to stay-well I'm sure I'd have something to say about that. And it probably wouldn't be, "honey, I love you, thanks for taking me on this awesome trip."

Mary had the ultimate home birth experience. Laying in a barn full of hay and animals. Mary pushed that baby out and put him in a manger. Do you know what a manger actually is? According to Google, a manger is "a long open box or trough for horses or cattle to eat from." Y'all, Mary had a brand new baby and had to put him in a trough. In a barn. And then strangers came bearing gifts.

Guys, mommin' ain't easy. On a good day, it's HARRDDD! Being a brand new mom is even harder! Doing it under the conditions that Mary faced? In the words of Logic, "Like Woah". Mama, as we head into the holiday season, bogged down by our to-do list filled with a million things, let's remember Mary. Let's celebrate Mary and the rockstar she was.

xoxo,

Katy