Some of us forget that Mary's role did not begin and end with the Nativity. Her job was only beginning and her role was a major one. She raised the Son of God to Manhood! She instructed Him, counseled Him, fed Him, prayed with Him, loved Him, comforted Him. For Catholics, Mary continues to be a major role player throughout the liturgical year.
Some people say the Blessed Mother is the one thing hardest for them to understand about Catholics and their devotions. It is almost as though they fear uttering her name, fearful it will override the name of her Son. Yet there is nothing fearful in allowing a mother to lead us to her son, most of all Mary leading us to her Son. How many times did Jesus take her hand in his youth and follow her, just as your child places his dimpled hand inside of yours...full of trust and faith and confidence. So should we. Jesus certainly didn't fear her. Neither should we. He loved her, so should we.
We do not "worship" Mary. We "honor" her, surely in the same way Christ honored his mother when he was under her disciplined tutelag, her loving guidance, and her worshipping gaze. Christ showed us how to love the woman He called Mother. That is the reason Catholics love our Blessed Mother. In the example of Christ, we turn to her in loving obedience, in innocent faith like that of a child.
Mary invites us to ponder the same things she "pondered in her heart" and she teaches us so much about loving Christ, following Him, and listening to Him. She always bids us to look towards her Son. She never takes glory herself but pleads with us to turn from our sinful ways and turn to her Son. She is the one who shows us how to overlook the muck and manure in our lives and look into the face of God.
His mother is our mother as well.
So, while we follow the Holy Family to Bethlehem and onto Egypt and back to Nazareth, we closely observe Mary, especially us women, wives, and mothers.
She's a beautiful role model for today's Christian woman. She said "Yes!" to the angel even in the face of uncertainy. She welcomed the Christ into a world that was less than perfect. She told God "let your will be done unto me." She co-created with God in a world that did not cherish children.
Her "Yes!" saved all of mankind. It's all in Scripture.
It is my happy pleasure to present a new Book Walk offer this Christmas week.
You and your loved ones have the chance to win a treasure. Josephine Nobisso, author of Weight of a Mass, has kindly offered an autographed copy of her new book, Take it to the Queen: A Tale of Hope.
Nobisso weaves a list of theological insights into this book through the artwork created by Katalin Szegedi. It's amazing what they have accomplished with this little book. Simply amazing!
And it's all about "Our Mother".
Nobisso told me that they sought to "publish her (ie: the Blessed Mother's) glory!" I have never seen another book so completely and beautifully capture the explanations, symbolism, and vibrant imagery of the holy, sacred vessel of Mary who carried our Lord and Savior to birth and life as this picture book does. I have to tell you, this is an excellent picture book for Catholic high schoolers and college-level students and absolutely anyone who has a love for the Mother of God or wishes to get to know the Mother of God a little better.
To enter the Book Walk, all you need to do is enter you name in the comment's section of this post. Link you name to your email address. The comments will be closed at night on Friday, December 26th and the winner's name will be drawn. The winner will then be notified by email for a mailing address so please make sure we are able to contact you.
Top clipart used from Two Hearts Design
Cay,
What a great Christmas gift! Thanks for hosting this book walk and many blessings to you and yours down there in Cajun country!
Posted by: Mary G. | December 24, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Oh! I do so want a copy of this book... and to win one would be just wonderful!
Merry Christmas Cay and all the Gibson clan! Anytime y'all want to come this way, just COME! :-)
Posted by: Alice C | December 24, 2008 at 03:52 PM
We love Weight of the Mass. Please enter our family in this drawing.
Thanks Cay for your great Book Walks!
Lisa B.
Posted by: Lisa Bishop | December 24, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Count me in, too! What a fantastic Christmas gift that would be.
Posted by: Kristina P. | December 24, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Wishing you and your family all the best in the new year. -Maureen J.
Posted by: Maureen J. | December 24, 2008 at 09:04 PM
My boys and I would love to enjoy this book together. Merry Christmas!
Michelle
hsmamafl (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by: Michelle | December 24, 2008 at 09:26 PM
This is my first book walk. May God bless you this Christmas.
Posted by: Cindy | December 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Oh neato! count me in and Merry Christmas!
JoAnna
Posted by: JoAnna | December 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
This sounds great! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Posted by: Christina | December 24, 2008 at 11:31 PM
We would love to have this book in our family library. We love "The Weight of a Mass" and we love our Blessed Mother. Perfect! Thank you for this opportunity and have a Blessed Christmas season.
Posted by: Lisa Sweet | December 25, 2008 at 01:04 AM
I just loved Weight of a Mass, I'm sure this one is a winner too! Thank you so much for this opportunity, Cay! And Merriest of Christmases to you and your family!!
Posted by: Amy | December 25, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I apologize if this comes through twice - my computer went nuts as I was trying to comment. :) Thank you for this opportunity, Cay, and Merry Christmas to you and your family! :)
Posted by: Amy | December 25, 2008 at 09:09 AM
pick me pick me. :)
Posted by: Marcia` | December 25, 2008 at 01:28 PM
what an awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win a beautiful Marian book. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Linda | December 25, 2008 at 01:47 PM
It looks like a wonderful book, Cay, and you've never steered us wrong with a book! Please enter us in the drawing.
Merry Christmas! Your children just radiate Christmas joy, and I'll bet their proud Mama does too when she sees that photo.
Celebrate!!
Posted by: Mary Alice in Kansas | December 25, 2008 at 02:37 PM
I'm so excited about reading this book! I can't wait! Please enter me in your wonderful book walk!!!
Posted by: SuzanneG | December 25, 2008 at 05:34 PM
I love any and all books about our beautiful Mother Mary. Thanks for doing this!
[email protected]
Posted by: Betty | December 25, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Merry Christmas, Cay and family! I would love to add this book to my collection!
Posted by: marcie | December 25, 2008 at 09:23 PM
We would love a copy here. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Posted by: Celeste | December 25, 2008 at 11:34 PM
As a convert, I'm sure I must love Mary better...but it feels strange, even 15 years into the journey, to honor her. I would really like to read this book and share it with my children.
On a side note, on Christmas Eve, Father asked the parish children to pray a hail Mary before their nativity at home, prior to opening presents on Christmas morning. Isn't that wonderful???
Posted by: Melissa Noble | December 26, 2008 at 07:31 AM
We'd love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for offering it, Cay. Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Lisa T | December 26, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Cay, we would love to win this book about Mary. Hope your Christmas was wonderful and blessed.
Posted by: Veronica | December 26, 2008 at 08:20 AM
My family would love this book. Thank you for a chance to receive it. Blessings.
Posted by: Tracey | December 26, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Sounds like a WONDERFUL book!!!
Posted by: Kelly B. | December 26, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful book!
Posted by: Jessica | December 26, 2008 at 04:06 PM