The Nativity of the Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
On this day we celebrate the Nativity of the Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Before Mary the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ was born, her parents had grown very old, praying constantly that God would grant them relief from their shame and give them a child.
The history of the church tells us that Joschim, the father of Mary, had gone one day to the temple to make an offering. While he waited, someone said to him that his offering could not be made because he had no child. Joschim left Jerusalem and went to the wilderness to pray and weep, imploring heaven for a child.
I try to imagine what this day must have been like for Joschim, especially when I find myself wishing that God would hurry up and get things done according to my schedule. I am often impatient - so my wife reminds me often - and I want God to accomplish his work in my church, my family, my life RIGHT AWAY.
Undoubtedly, Joschim felt the same way, although his pain was much more accute than anything I face. And yet, how does Joachim feel about God’s timing now? I mean right now, today, September 8th, 2004? he stands right now before the heavenly throne, singing with the angels. If you called him away to ask him about God’s timing now, Joachim would tell you that God’s timing was absolutely perfect.
And so it is that we can see the brillance of God’s plan when we look back. Can’t you think of times in your life when you felt like God wasn’t paying attention, and then later you found that His love had guided you all the way? These recollections, as well as the story of Joschim on this day of the Nativity of the Mother of God, give us strength to face anything the future may hold.
--Father David Smith
