Pondering, still...

Luke 2:19-20

My first born, a son, was born 32 years ago.

If I close my eyes (and even if I don't)

I see the dark curls clinging to his scalp.

I can hear his father's excited exclamation.

I remember his grandparents' first comments -

The room, those present, even the color of 

the first blanket he was wrapped in.

Those were his first moments, and I treasure them still

and ponder over them from time to time.

Of course Mary treasured these things

and pondered them in her heart!

It must have felt good to have confirmation

of the words the angel had spoken to her
9 month earlier.

Yes, Joseph has believed her, but had anyone

else bought into her wild story?

Did she have to convince herself from time to time

that this was really happening?

That she was to be the mother of the Messiah?

Was it possible, and was she capable?

But now, feeling the rhythmic breathing of her baby boy,

and witnessing the confirmation of the prophesies,

did she dare to believe that this baby would be a King?

Was she, like the rest of nation,

expecting a military king?

Did she think she would one day be the queen mother

of the nation of Israel?

Maybe...maybe not...

But I am confident that she held in her heart

the way he sighed in his sleep,

the shape of his lips, pursed on waking,

the softness of his hair,

the length of his tiny fingers and toes...

Treasuring and pondering.

That's what moms do best,

instinctively,

continually,

lovingly

For a lifetime and beyond.

Merry Christ Mass to all!