By, Deacon Stephanos Khoury, St. George Greek Catholic Church
Zababdeh, Jenin
Today, on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, the Mother of God, we do not simply celebrate the birth of a young woman from Nazareth. We stand before a profound mystery of God: God was preparing, within human history, the beginning of the path that would lead to the Incarnation of His Word.
Mary did not enter this world as an ordinary event in history. Her birth was part of God’s divine plan, within the long expectation of God’s people—their longing for salvation, for God’s presence, and for the fulfillment of His promises.
That is why the Church sees Mary’s Nativity as the beginning of joy for the whole world. From her would come Christ. In her womb, the Word would take flesh. Through her, the unfathomable mystery of God and humanity would meet in the person of Jesus Christ.
When God Looks Upon the Earth
Mary’s birth reminds us of a profound truth:
God has not forgotten the earth.
History can sometimes appear to move farther and farther away from God. Wars, injustice, poverty, fear, displacement, and suffering can make us ask: Where is God?
But the Feast of Mary’s Nativity whispers another answer:
- God is working, even when we cannot see His work.
- God is preparing salvation, even when history appears dark.
- God is looking upon the earth and beginning with someone whom the world considers small.
Mary was not born in a royal palace. She had no political power, wealth, or worldly influence. Yet she became central to the mystery of salvation.
This is the beauty of God: what the world considers small, God can transform into the beginning of something eternal.
From Mary, the Way of the Incarnation
The Nativity of Mary can never be separated from Christ.
We do not honor Mary instead of Christ. We honor her because God chose her to become the Mother of God, the Mother of the Word made flesh.
- From her, Christ received His humanity.
- From her, He received His human flesh.
- And through her humble yes, the mystery of the Incarnation entered human history.
Her birth therefore carries a proclamation:
God desires to dwell among us.
The Child who would be born of Mary is not merely a great human being. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, who came to bring humanity into the heart of God.
Mary: The Human Person Who Said Yes
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons Mary gives us is contained in one word:
Yes.
- Yes to God when we do not understand everything.
- Yes when the road is uncertain.
- Yes when God’s calling is greater than our abilities.
- Yes when He asks us simply to trust Him.
Mary did not know every detail of the road ahead. But she knew the One who was calling her.
This is the heart of faith: we do not need to understand everything in order to trust God.
Her Nativity Is a Birth of Hope
The Church therefore does not celebrate Mary’s birth merely by looking into the past.
We also look at the world today.
In a world exhausted by war, injustice, division, and fear, Mary’s Nativity proclaims:
- Hope has not died.
- Darkness does not have the final word.
- War does not have the final word.
- Fear does not have the final word.
- And human weakness does not have the final word.
God can begin something new through a humble heart, a simple family, a young person, or anyone who has the courage to say:
“Let it be done to me according to your word.”
Mary and the Suffering of Our World
Mary is especially close to those who suffer.
- She knew uncertainty.
- She knew fear.
- She knew what it meant to walk through a future she could not fully understand.
- She knew what it meant to witness suffering and remain faithful.
For this reason, the suffering person can recognize something of his or her own story in Mary.
She teaches us that faith does not mean the absence of suffering.
Faith means believing that God is present even in the midst of suffering.
A Message for Our Time
Today, as we celebrate the Mother of God, we are invited to look beyond the noise of history and recognize God’s quiet work.
- God often begins where the world is not looking.
- He begins with a humble heart.
- He begins with a hidden prayer.
- He begins with a small act of love.
- He begins with one person willing to say yes.
Mary’s life tells us that God’s greatest works do not always begin with power, wealth, or influence.
Sometimes they begin with a young woman who simply trusts God.
And from that humble yes, the Word became flesh.
Today, Mary Speaks to Us
Perhaps her message to us today is simple:
- Do not be afraid.
- Do not lose hope.
- Do not allow the cruelty of the world to make your heart cruel.
- Trust God even when you cannot see the road ahead.
- Open your heart to Christ as she opened hers to the Word of God.
Because Mary’s Nativity reminds us that God has not abandoned humanity.
- The path of the Incarnation was prepared.
- Christ came.
- God entered our history.
And therefore, no matter how long the night may be, the dawn is coming.
Happy Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Mother of God
On this beautiful feast, let us ask Mary to lead us always to her Son.
- May she protect the Church.
- May she comfort families.
- May she accompany those who suffer.
- May she strengthen those who have lost hope.
And may she teach us, in every circumstance of our lives, to say with her:
“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Your Nativity, O Mother of God, is the beginning of our joy, for through you the dawn of Christ, the Sun of Justice, began to rise upon the world.
Happy Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Mother of God Mother of hope, Mother of the Church, and a prayer for every suffering heart.
