I have always had a great affinity for stained glass windows. At St. Joseph the Worker in Beal City, there are beautiful stained glass windows of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One day the sun was shining right through the window of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the midst of my prayer. What a fitting image for Mary. Her entire life is about receiving Jesus, the light of the world, and then radiating that light to the world.

One of her titles is “Cause of our Joy.” Isn’t that a beautiful title for Mary? When she received Jesus at the Incarnation, she traveled in haste to Jerusalem. When she arrived, Elizabeth said “at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” (Lk. 1:44) Then after receiving the words of Elizabeth, Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (Lk. 1:46-47)

Soon we will begin the Advent and Christmas seasons. Advent is about joyful expectation. At Christmas, we sing out “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” This season radiates joy. Few scenes bring greater joy than the Nativity scene.

Why is this such a joyful scene? When Mary was in the stable, it was probably rather smelly and uncomfortable. I wonder how many of us would respond as she did in that same situation. Would we be upset with Joseph for not calling ahead? Upset with God that he did not prepare a more perfect place, wondering “Doesn’t he know who I am?” Perhaps she could have become focused on the stench of the animals. Maybe the lambs were bumping up against her as she tried to prepare the manger. Maybe her hair was out of order and Joseph had not shaved for a while. Who knows?

I love what Pope Francis said in The Joy of the Gospel, “Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes and an abundance of love.” (Evangelii Gaudium 286) She can turn whatever stables we find in our families into a home for Jesus as well.

If we are honest, there are many “nativity scene moments” in our lives. Events that can be seen in very different ways depending on where our eyes and, most especially, where our hearts are turned. The trial at work could also be a moment to give God thanks for the ability to work and use one’s gifts for blessing one’s family. The struggle with communication with one’s spouse could be an opportunity to thank the Lord for the gift of the other and to recommit to investing in the marriage. The time invested in passing on the faith to one’s children, running them to school and various activities and being patient with them as they learn and grow is another Nativity scene. Family life is often challenging, unpredictable, uncomfortable and also smelly. Mary’s family life certainly was, but her eyes and her heart were on Jesus always.

Mary is the cause of our joy because she brings us Jesus. That is her mission. Then and now.

The presence of Mary brings joy to our souls. Her presence saves us from falling into dissatisfaction and discontent, of adopting a victim mentality toward our life, of staying stuck in our rancor, blame and envy. She pulls us out of that into praise, gratitude and hastening to the side of others.

May Mary bring joy to you during these upcoming seasons. May Mary, our mother, intercede for us, that our spirits too might, always and everywhere, now and forever, “Rejoice in God my savior.”