The Joy of Mary’s Birth in Salvation History
Scripture:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).
We are gradually coming close to the celebration of the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother Mary. The Church, in her wisdom, does not celebrate many earthly birthdays. Most saints are honoured on the day of their death, which is their “heavenly birthday”, that is when they entered eternal life.
Then there are three radiant exceptions: the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Nativity of John the Baptist, and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Why these three? This is because each of them represents a decisive turning point in the history of salvation.
- John the Baptist, the last prophet, prepared the way of the Lord.
- Jesus Christ is the very fulfillment of God’s promises. He is our Saviour and Redeemer.
- And Mary is the dawn, the pure vessel chosen from all eternity through whom the Saviour would enter the world.
Mary’s nativity is not just the memory of a little girl’s birth; it is the first breaking of light after centuries of darkness.
Humanity had long walked under the shadow of sin, yearning for the promised Redeemer. Her coming was like the first ray of dawn, announcing that the long night was ending.
Heaven and earth rejoiced, because the one chosen to be the Theotokos, the Mother of God, had entered the world.
There is joy in Mary’s birth, It was divinely planned. God’s providence is never accidental; everything in salvation history unfolds according to His perfect timing.
Even before her conception, Mary was foreseen, loved, and set apart by God, for the work of salvation. Preserved from the stain of original sin, she was to be a living sanctuary, the pure tabernacle where the Word would take flesh.
In celebrating her birthday, the Church celebrates God’s faithfulness and His careful preparation for humanity’s salvation. This is a powerful reason we are to celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Mother.
Why the Church Celebrates Mary’s Nativity
The Church rejoices in Mary’s birthday for many profound reasons:
- She is the Beginning of Redemption’s Fulfillment.
Just as springtime promises the harvest, Mary’s birth promised the coming of Christ. Her life marks the beginning of the visible unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. - Her Birth is a Source of Universal Joy.
St. Augustine once said: “She is the flower from which bloomed the precious fruit, Christ.” Just as parents rejoice at the birth of a child, the entire Church rejoices at Mary’s birth, for in her, heaven and earth find cause for hope. - Her Birth Reveals God’s Providence.
Mary was no afterthought; her coming was written into salvation history from the very beginning. God carefully prepared her so that His Son might take flesh in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4). - Her Birth Gave Us a Spiritual Mother.
In Mary, we not only honour the Mother of Christ but also embrace our own Mother. At the cross, Jesus gave her to us as a gift: “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). Celebrating her birth reminds us of her maternal love and intercession. - Her Nativity Prefigures Our Own Calling.
Just as God had a plan for Mary, He has a plan for each of us. Her life reminds us that no life is meaningless, and no moment is wasted in God’s design.
Mary’s Birth and Our Lives Today
Mary’s birthday is not only an event in the past but also a present encouragement. When we honour her nativity, we are reminded that God’s plans are always perfect, even if they take centuries to unfold.
Just as Mary was prepared for her mission, we too are being prepared for ours. Her life reassures us that God’s promises never fail.
Mary’s presence in our lives is deeply personal. She is the gentle mother who walks with us, prays for us, comforts us in our struggles, and points us unfailingly to Jesus. Through her, we learn that saying “yes” to God, even in humility and simplicity can change the course of history.
A Joyful Invitation
As we prepare for the feast of Mary’s nativity, let us join with heaven in rejoicing. Just as angels rejoiced at Christ’s birth and Elizabeth rejoiced at John’s, so too we rejoice at Mary’s. For through her birth, the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ would be given to us.
Let this celebration not only be about honouring Mary but also about awakening our faith. Like her, may we trust that God has a purpose for our lives, no matter how ordinary they may seem. Her birthday is a reminder that every life, when entrusted to God, can become a light for the world.