Our Mary Tradition

We recently moved from Utah to the mid-west. Everyone warned us that it would be a huge culture shock. I am probably not a fair judge of if it is a culture shock or not, because I went from working full time, to staying home with my baby. My kids would likely tell you otherwise, but I have not felt the culture here is at all shocking. The biggest difference I see is that many people have a Statue of Mary in their yard all year long, this is nothing we saw back in Utah. I am not joining the many people out here that have Mary in the front lawn, but I do have a Devotional for Mary the fifth week before Christmas.

I think that Mary is greatly misunderstood.  In fact I would go so far as to say that I think that Satan has done an excellent job of deceptively down playing Mary. People think I am crazy because I loath the song, "Mary did you know?"  Guess what folks, of course, she knew. She knew better than anyone that the child she had was the Son of God. Everyone else is working off of faith, But MARY she KNEW that the child she carried was miraculously put there. And God didn't just select anyone to be the mother of his One and Only child, or the Mother of the Savior of the World.  The angel Gabriel informed her that she was Chosen. She was an elect lady. She was responsible for teaching this child, and preparing  him for his divine mission.

This task placed on Mary must have been overwhelming. Mary's testimony must have been unwavering. But she wasn't asked to do it alone, she had Elizabeth, her cousin who also was pregnant with a Miracle baby, and she had Joseph right by her side. This year for our activity after the lesson part of the devotional we stood in a circle, and we pondered about our testimonies for a minute. After a few minutes I gave out candles and lit my Husband's he then shared his testimony and lit someone else's candle. We watched the light grow as we shared our testimony's with each other. Just like Mary and Joseph strengthened each other, and Jesus helped strengthened his parent's testimony, we likewise can strengthen each other in our own family, and together we can do what God asks.

I love hearing my children's testimony's and I love the beautiful light cast by the candles. This is one of my favorite Traditions.