Routine Doesn't Detract from the Miracle

Well it is the day after Christmas. The three garbage bags of minced wrapping paper, grand kids style, have been put into the dumper. Gigi's extra large box of batteries is almost empty, toys seem to suck them dry in no time. Two of the grand kids are in the front room watching Cars2, almost seems normal. Two dogs in the house have been outside, done their thing and came back in and started to wrestle. I call it that because it is hard to describe a twenty pound Westen Terrier trying to battle a one hundred and eighty pound Saint Shepherd. I guess the day after Christmas seems like every other day.

Mary's day after Christmas must have been just like every other new mothers. The folks around the Inn and village would come by and tell her how beautiful her newborn was. I don't know if she told them about the angels or the shepherds. She had mothering things that had to get done and she was the mother that had to do it. Now, I'm sure Joseph would help as much as possible, you know, run down to the corner store and buy disposable diapers, Nappies, for my English friends. But there are things a dad just can't do, no more needs to be said.

Along with the mothering things Mary would need to rest. Even though she gave birth to God her body needed rest and healing. The days leading up to the presentation of their child would be about the only rest Mary would get. We have no record of any extended family from either side coming to help Mary in the early days. She is pretty much on her own with her newborn, including all of those feedings during the night and early morning. Again, I'm sure Joseph was by her side, but that is about all.

History and faith has recorded that first Christmas as the greatest miracle ever. But, very few people, outside the shepherds, even new what took place. The importance of the miracle would need a lot of time to grow. Days, weeks, months and birthdays would come and go until the real import of that day would begin to dawn upon mankind. Mary would get a small picture when her son was found in the temple debating with the elders. Almost twenty more years would pass, routine and mundane days filled with chores and the minuscule items of life.

Miracles can rise high in our field of vision. And, it is perfectly normal for them to cast a shadow over the living that takes place. We experience the miraculous from the hand of God and living has to go on. The miracle must change us, our heart and spirit, but it doesn't eliminate the everyday routine of life. Work must be done and the bills paid, groceries need to be bought and the pile of dirty clothes doesn't vanish because we experienced the miraculous hand of God. Mary was expected to live out her routine and responsibility. Beside being a virtuous young woman, it is just possible that God also knew that she would be faithful to the routine and mundane of being a mother, yes, even to the Christ of God.