DAILY READINGS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST - J.R. Miller (1890)
February 7. The Mother of Jesus
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him" Luke 2:40
One of the chief influences in molding Christ's life, was His mother. When God wants to prepare a man for a great mission, He first prepares a noble mother, and puts the child into her bosom to be trained. The Jews had a saying, "God could not be everywhere — and therefore he made mothers." Nearly all the truly great men of the world have received the inspiration and stamp of their lives from their mothers. When Moses was to be trained for his work, the Lord put the little babe back in the hands of its mother as his first teacher. There is no doubt that in preparing Mary to be the mother of the Savior — the rarest and loveliest graces of womanhood were wrought by God into her nature. She was not sinless — but we may believe that no more perfect woman ever lived.
Such a mother would exert a wonderful influence over the child Jesus. She was His first teacher. Her love wrapped Him around in its warm folds in His earliest infancy, and through all His youth and young manhood. Her sweet life was the atmosphere that hung over His tenderest years. Her prayers kept Heaven lying ever close about Him. Her hands guided His feet and shaped His character. What a blessed mission is that of a mother, any mother! What woman in whose arms God has laid an immortal life, will despise her glorious calling? What woman so honored will not die, rather than prove unfaithful to her holy trust?
Added as a humble addition:
Here is a poem I wrote a few years back to honor Mary as the blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: (J. Ogles)
MARY – MOTHER OF VIRTUE AND LOVE
A precious virgin, sweet and gracious
Lived in ancient Galilee.
She was by parents loved and precious
Praying oft on bended knee.
Virtue, love, and grace possessed her
As she dreamed of things to be,
Never guessing of the splendor
Of the visions she would see.
In the lonely hours of even
As she labored all alone
Came a glowing glorious Being
Whose brightness through the shadows shown.
Lo, now Virgin, God is with thee
Spake the Angel, Gabriel
“Hail, thou that art highly favored,”
As with fright her face grew pale.
“Fear not, Mary.” Came the answer
As her soul drew comfort then.
You shall soon conceive the Savior
Gods own Son, and Son of Man.
The Holy Spirit shall o’er-shadow
And come upon you as you sleep.
Soon the promise of the Father
He shall in your Baby keep.
Blessed above all other women
Shall you be henceforth anon.
And angelic choirs of Heaven
Shall proclaim His coming soon.
Many years of love and caring
Did this blessed Mother spend
On her Son Most Holy, guarding
Until at Calvary came the End.
Twas not the End, but the Beginning,
As He died upon the tree.
His death assured His victory winning
As Mary’s heart was pierced with grief.
His disciples shared in sorrow
Those three days and nights of grief.
But the sunrise at the Garden
Brought a joy beyond belief.
See poor Mother, bent and weeping
As this news is told her now.
Empty Tomb and Risen Savior
Proves the Truth of Heaven’s Vow.
Kindly Mother, gentle Mary,
How with love we think of thee
Now no longer need you tarry
By the open Tomb to see.
Were all mothers fair and lovely
And with virtue, love, and grace,
To nurture up their sons and daughters.
This would be a better place.
