Advent and Expectant Mothers
We all know that Advent is a time of expectation: a time of waiting with hope for the birth of Christ at Christmas. It is
understandable that kids are eager for Christmas morning to arrive. Think about how much more eager Mary must have been for the Nativity of Christ. For nine months she had been waiting, enduring the discomforts and the joys of pregnancy for her son—the Son of God to come into the world.
In honor of the expectant Blessed Mother, Advent is a perfect time to pray for and celebrate mothers, including spiritual mothers and also mothers who may be pregnant. First of all, we can pray that they will find Advent to be fruitful as they realize the graces that can come from waiting with joyful hope for the arrival of their son or daughter.
Along with our prayers, however, we can also treat pregnant women in particular with special charity during this time, and teach the children in our lives to do the same. Here are just a few ideas of how to foster an appreciation for these women who are bringing new life into the world.
Cultivate a Culture of Life: Share with your students or children the story of Christ’s birth. Explain to them how Mary sacrificed a lot to give birth to Jesus—from enduring the gossip of neighbors to giving birth in a stable—but she was still overjoyed by the birth of her son.
Explain how every life is precious. Each one of them is treasured by God and whether a child is suffering in a war torn country or is still residing in his mother’s womb, each one is equally loved by God. Encourage Respect toward Pregnant Mothers: In our culture, we spend a lot of time lauding the professional accomplishments of men and women alike. While hard work and talent are praiseworthy, we should also instill in them a respect for the important act of bearing and bringing a child into the world. Because each child is made in the image and likeness of God, being a mother is a privilege! Encourage the children in your life to do acts of kindness for pregnant women during Advent. Perhaps their mother is pregnant and they can help do the dishes so that she can rest. Teenagers could volunteer an hour or two to babysit other children to help out a pregnant mother they know. Little children could write congratulatory cards to women in the parish. These acts of kindness will help these mothers-to-be to recognize that they are not only ones waiting for children to arrive, there are others ready to joyfully welcome new life as well! Give to Mothers in Need: For some mothers-to-be, pregnancy is not only difficult because of the aches and pains, but also because of the financial burden of uninsured medical appointments as well as the extra purchases necessary to prepare for a new baby. There are some wonderful programs that assist women who are in need. Pray for Mothers and their Babies: As we all know, pregnancy and giving birth is a momentous time in any family’s life, but it can also be trying—both physically and emotionally. Pray for mothers and fathers that (if they do not already) they can come to see their baby as a gift for God. Pray that the mother will experience a healthy pregnancy. Pray that the baby will be born safely and that the new family will experience true joy. Pray as well for those women who do not have children, but who answer God’s call to be spiritual mothers. If you work or volunteer with children, use Mary’s pregnancy as an opportunity to add pregnant mothers to your prayer intentions. When the Son of God decided to come to earth as a human baby, He exalted the role of motherhood forever. This Advent, may we come to recognize the gift God has given us in making us co-creators of new human life. And let us pray in a special way that the Blessed Mother will intercede for all mothers in the days leading up to Christmas.
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