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Archive for the ‘Spiritual’ Category
I’m Catholic. I grew up hearing the stories about Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. My mom read Bible stories to us at night; we learned about the new testament in school. Every year we watched the Passion Play during the Easter season. And yet, not until I watched The Passion of the Christ did I fully understand how Jesus suffered. Until then, every reenactment was sanitized and rated G. That one film had more of an impact on me than any other Bible lesson through out my 12 years of Catholic schooling. I didn’t just cry, I sobbed. My body trembled. My heart ached, especially when I watched Mary, the mother of Jesus, witnessing her son’s crucifixion. The actress who portrayed Mary nailed it; her eyes haunt me, still.
Years ago I read a book that made the Christmas story more real to me. While visiting my mom recently, I asked about the book, found it on her bookshelf and asked to borrow it. This past weekend I read the book and once again, the Christmas story has come alive. Perhaps more now than 33 years ago because I’m older and have become a mother now, I realized that the story of Christmas, of Mary and Joseph and their love for each other, for God and for their most blessed child, is so much more than most of us realize.
Marjorie Holmes sat in a church one Christmas Eve and the scent of the hay in the manger awakened her awareness that “It actually happened. It happened to real people in a real place with real smells and sounds and sights.” Holmes realized, too, that the young mother was not a woman, but was just a girl of 14, not married but promised in marriage.
Marjorie Holmes was overwhelmed with this notion and was determined to tell the story of these very real people who opened their lives to God’s will. She describes the story, Two From Galilee
Two From Galilee isn’t gut wrenching like The Passion of the Christ but it is gritty. It’s real. Marjorie Holmes captured the disgrace that Mary faced as an unwed mother and the amazing faith that she must have had to trust God to make everything right with Joseph.
Oh, and Joseph! While Mary was just a young girl of 14, Joseph was probably about 19, and had to work through his own doubts. His love for Mary and his devotion to and faith in God is just so awe-inspiring. To be loved as Mary was by Joseph is truly a blessing.
In the hustle-bustle of this Christmas season, we all need to take a moment to remember that first Christmas more than 2000 years ago. If you’ve read the Bible story of Mary and Joseph and the glorious birth of Jesus, then step outside the familiar and take a closer look into the lives of these very special children of God. Get to know the Holy Family on a more personal level. This is not a fictional family; these were real people with a very real love for each other and for God.
Read “Two From Galilee” this weekend. You’ll have a deeper understanding of the Holy Family and a renewed appreciation for this most sacred and blessed Holiday Season.
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