The great mystic and theologian quotes Mary in her Magnificat: "He that is mighty has done great things for me." Bernard says that all Catholics should ask for those graces. What graces?
The great things to which Mary refers are graces of perfection. Mary realizes the singular perfection of her state and the immensity of her role in becoming the Mother of God.
She is not merely a very young, pregnant woman given the honour of bearing the Messiah. She is bearing God-the Theotokos, the God-Bearer, whose feast is coming up on January 1st in America.
This woman knows that God is growing as a God-Man within her. This is the Greatest Thing. Her own perfection and sinlessness are great works as well. She had done nothing but say yes. But, the great work begun at her own Immaculate Conception. What miracles are being done in this time of history?
She is not confused. She is not proud. She is honest and humble. God has done all the great things.
Let us, as St. Bernard suggests, ask for all the graces of perfection that God wished to give to us.
Let that be our Christmas prayer.
