Fear not to take unto thee Mary

Many Christians have problems with at least some aspects of Marian devotions as they have developed within the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Many Christians are even afraid to say too much about Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus, lest they be accused of “Popery” or of disregard for the one mediatorship of Christ.

But there is a message in the Gospel for this evening, the Vigil of Christmas (Matthew 1:1-25):

Joseph, thou son of David,
fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife...

As we go through this celebration of Christmas, reflecting on the Scriptures concerning Christ's birth and meditating on the mysteries of his coming among us, it would be good for us not to fear to take Mary unto ourselves, but to reflect on the wonder and the beauty of that most blessed event through her eyes - eyes of faith, eyes of love - as she gives birth to her Savior.

Fear not. Come close.

Look upon the Child.