Merry Christmas to Mary

Before the first Christmas, people were getting ready, too. Mary was getting ready for baby Jesus to be born -- and taking a trip to see someone else who was getting ready: her relative, Elizabeth. In this week's Gospel (Luke 1:39-45), we read about that trip.

Before Jesus was born, Mary went to visit Elizabeth, who was also going to have a baby. When Mary said hello, Elizabeth's baby jumped for joy inside her. Excited, Elizabeth shouted, "You're blessed for trusting God's promise to send you a son, Jesus!"

For Mary, the first Christmas must have been a little scary. She was about to become Jesus' mom -- a hard job! It was probably tough for Mary to feel "all ready" for that.

Even when you're ready for Christmas, your parents might not feel that way. They have to iron your clothes, cook dinner, drive everyone to church and help you decide what kind of snack to leave for Santa! You can help them feel better by helping out with all those things.

Mary's visit to Elizabeth must have helped her feel better. Elizabeth was going to have a baby -- Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. And even though John wasn't born yet, he got so excited that Jesus was coming, he jumped inside his mother!

If someone's worried about being ready for Christmas, saying something nice can also help them feel better. For Mary, Elizabeth's words were perfect: "God bless you!"

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, teach me to help other people feel ready for Christmas! Amen. Merry Christmas!