Before the first Christmas, Mary prayed: "May it be done to me according to Your word" (Lk 1:38). The effects of this prayer were:

• The Holy Spirit came upon Mary (Lk 1:35).
• She became pregnant by a miracle of the Holy Spirit.
• Mary became the mother of God.
• She was in danger of being divorced by her husband, Joseph (Mt 1:19; Dt 22:21-23).
• She was in danger of being stoned or strangled as punishment for adultery (see Mt 1:19).
• She had her baby in a stable (Lk 2:7).
• She suffered many other sorrows and even witnessed her Son's execution by crucifixion.
• She was taken to heaven to be Queen of heaven and earth.

Before this Christmas, we need to pray with Mary: "May it be done to me according to Your word" (Lk 1:38). The effects of this prayer will be:

• We will repent and forgive.
• We will meet Christ in a deep and personal way this Christmas.
• Our lives will change.
• We will tell people about Jesus and His love.
• We will be persecuted.
• We'll be awed by Christ's love and surprised at His works.
• We will become servants, even slaves, of Christ (see Lk 1:38 in Greek).

Pray with Mary as Mary prayed before the Incarnation. "Mary" Christmas!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002