Mary is honored as Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. These grand titles may make her seem too high or unapproachable, but the Church wants us to feel free to run to Mary and be comforted in her loving arms. The Christmas season can magnify the stresses on families. Recognizing the gentle motherhood of Mary is important for children, and all of us, during this time of the year. We all need to be reminded that Mary and her Newborn Son love them, and that Mary can be our role model of compassion.

In a homily on the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on New Year’s Day, Pope Francis urged us to learn how to be like Mary: “How important it is to educate our hearts to care, to cherish the persons and things around us. Everything starts from this: from cherishing others, the world and creation. …Mary, who know how to cherish things in your heart, care for us, bless our time, and teach us to find time for God and for others."

Approaching Mary in Art: We know this from the centuries of Christian art. Any painting or statue of Mary you see presents her as mild and concerned for us, God’s children. I am especially drawn to “Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” When I was a young mother, this image of Mary, painted in the Byzantine style, was in a place of honor in our parish church. An icon is called a “window into heaven,” and that is how I experienced it when I contemplated it. I felt Mary was looking right at me! She is holding young Jesus, who has just leapt into her arms in terror. He is having a vision of angels holding the implements of his future torture. He is literally scared out of his sandals, which dangle untied. In this dramatic scene, Mary comforts her little son, holding both of his hands, but she is looking at us, not him. She seems to say, “What will you do for Jesus?”

Explore Images of Mary. The Student Editions of Blest Are We Faith in Action and Be My Disciples include many beautiful images of saints, especially Mary. Have your students find one image of Mary that attracts them. Let them describe the image to the class, and write a list of words to describe Mary as they see her. Compose a prayer to Mary based on the word lists and pray it as a group.

Imagine Being with Mary: Invite students to imagine themselves in place of Mary in the Christmas Gospels (Luke 2 and Matthew 1-2). Have them write down some thoughts or draw a picture from the Nativity stories, with themselves in the scene.

Mary’s Many Titles. Mary has many other titles in Catholic Tradition, many given to her by people who experienced her presence in a mysterious way. When people tell their stories about Mary, they have a common theme: She continues to advocate for us in heaven. Look for the Mary, Our Lady packet here, available for free download.