Give your mother flowers

READINGS: Mi 5:1-4; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23

"The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel."

REFLECTION: Like all of us, Mary came into the world a bundle of cries, googly-eyed and helpless. Did she remember her first tottering steps, cutting her first tooth, pre-dawn feedings, scraped knees, eating all her vegetables, doing homework - and being born without the stain of original sin so she would be worthy of becoming the mother of God?

We know very little about Mary's parents. According to tradition, Mary was born to an older couple named Ann and Joachim who had prayed for a child. Their wish was granted because they were faith-filled and God-fearing.

In the reading from Micah, the fortunes of Judah are at their lowest ebb. However, Judah will have a renewal and be lifted up in the golden era of David. Though he is not named, there is a reference to his birthplace, Bethlehem Ephrathah. The author makes reference to another prophet (Isaiah) saying that a maiden will give birth to the one who will shepherd all and bring peace.

In Matthew, the genealogy is that of Joseph, who is called Mary's husband rather than the actual father of Jesus. The genealogy's purpose is to show the continuity and order of God's purpose among his people in the establishment of the kingdom, the return from exile in Babylon, and, now, the birth of Jesus Christ.

RELEVANCE: This tradition I borrowed from my wife. On my birthday, I buy flowers for my mother in appreciation for the gift of life. Today, we remember Mary and give thanks to her for giving us her son, Jesus. Being an only child, Jesus must have been the favorite child! According to Erma Bombeck, all mothers have a favorite child. It is always the same one: The one who needs you most at the moment.

Here are some of Erma's favorite children: the one who messed up the piano recital, misspelled "committees" in the spelling bee, ran the wrong way with the football, and had his bike stolen because he was careless. My favorite child always needed a haircut, had hair that wouldn't curl, had no date for Saturday night and a car that cost $600 to fix. My favorite child was selfish, immature, bad-tempered and self-centered. He was vulnerable, lonely, unsure of what he was doing in this world - and quite wonderful. Happy Birthday, everyone! Ad Multos Annos.

RESPONSE: Celebrate your birthday in a special way. Buy flowers for your mother. Reflect on what Mary's growing-up years might have been like compared to your own.

(Vanden Busch, a Green Bay writer, educator and speaker, is a columnist for Catechist magazine. His columns have been compiled into a book, available through Notre Dame Middle School, De Pere.)