In the United Church we tend to acknowledge the Annunciation, the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary that she was pregnant with Jesus, during Advent in the lead-up to Christmas. For Roman Catholics and Anglicans the Feast of the Annunciation was yesterday, March 25th. Why the difference? Do the math and you'll realize that it's nine months from March 25th, until Christmas day, or the normal length of a human pregnancy. Clever, even though we know that Jesus wasn't actually born on the 25th of December.
It seems fitting that on the day when millions of Christians acknowledged the story in Luke of the bewildered and brave young woman -- likely a teen -- hearing that she was the chosen one, we saw reports that research shows that maternal mental health has suffered during pandemic and worse than was anticipated. The isolation of COVID quarantine has affected so many, from the very young to the elderly. But it's not hard to appreciated why mothers who are caring for children with limited support from families and peers are struggling mightily.
Our older daughter gave birth in the early days of the pandemic and even the hospital experience was unsettling. During the past ten months she has spent countless hours and days alone with a 2/3 year-old and a newborn. She has done remarkably well, and she loves her children dearly, but this has made a demanding time even more challenging.
In the Medieval and Renaissance periods young Mary was often portrayed as a member of the nobility, with all the benefits of her status. I much prefer the Tanner painting of the Annunciation with its image of a peasant girl.
As we remember "perplexed" Miriam, of Mary, we can hold all the mothers of our world in the midst of stressful circumstances, asking God to give them the stamina and comfort they need for each day.
Annunciation -- Fra Angelico -- c. 1445
No comments:
Post a Comment