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December is the month of Mary. Who is Mary? Four "M's" describe her: Mary is mother...Mary is messenger...Mary is mediator...Mary is model.

Mary is the mother of God. In her Immaculate Conception, she is chosen to be the holy vehicle by which God will enter into human history. Advent prepares us to celebrate that nativity of the Son of God in time and history.

Mary is the daughter of the Father, the mother of the Son and the spouse of the Spirit. Her scriptural name is not Mary, but rather "Full of Grace." God Himself needs Mary. What a solemn mystery is the incarnation! Mary is mother of the incarnation.

Mary is messenger: Mary announces the Good News in her visitation with her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. In haste, Mary goes to share the news of God entering into history.

She is the singer of the great "M hymn," the Magnificat, which celebrates the great reversals of history: The barren give birth; virgins conceive; those without faith are converted into great saints; the powerful trip up (Luke 1:46-55).

Mary is mediator: At Cana, she speaks her last recorded words, "Do whatever He tells you." This is advice for all believers of all ages. Mary intercedes. She pleads. She mediates grace.

Mary is model - a model for all disciples. She is the First Lady of the Church. "Be it done according to Your Word," she tells the Father; indeed, she is the First Disciple.

Advent is a wonderful time to rediscover perhaps the first prayer we learned: "Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb...."

For the remaining days of Advent, speak this prayer slowly each morning before coffee or turning on the ignition of the car. Begin the day with Mary. Enter Mary into your day.

How can you have the mystery of Bethlehem without the Virgin of Nazareth? Mary is good company to keep as we spend these Advent days preparing for Christmas.

The New Testament was hidden in the womb of the woman who is "four-M" - mother, messenger, mediator and model. When the Church loses its focus on Mary, it loses its perspective on Christ.

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Lake parish in Cooperstown.)

Once again, Rev. John Rosson offers a series of reflections for Advent; his theme this year is those who "coach" us through the season.[[In-content Ad]]

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