My daughter, who is only 8 years old always seems to ask me questions that are just so amazing about the faith, because they are so innocent. Most times, leaving me in a deep state of wonder. The latest question, is no different.
Her question to me was this: “Mommy? What was Baby Jesus first word?”
It set me off on a road of very deep pondering and contemplation of the relationship between our Infant Lord and our Holy Mother. I don’t ever want to leave this place where my daughter brought my thoughts.
As I thought of it deeply, it wasn’t until my girls and I set out tonight to the store that I simply asked Mama Mary out loud in prayer with my girls. Before the final word left my lips, an answer came to my heart.
Mama Mary, being full of grace and humility would never have taught our Lord to say Mama first, just as today she does not seek any glory for herself but only for Him. Abba! Came to my heart..
Glory to God in the highest…
EDIT TO ADD from my Facebook Page:
Whatever the normal first word uttered by any baby in the first century area around Bethlehem, in Aramaic, was probably the first word spoken, most probably related to mother and father. His perfect humanity is in the commonness which he shares with all of us in our infancy. That is the beauty of that humanity as is the look of love between mother and child as “she wrapped in him swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.” That gaze of love rests in the heart of our Christmas celebration in Gift Given, Gift Received, Gift Shared. But since he is the Word-made-Flesh, he IS the First Word. A powerful question which leads to the simple Beauty and Goodness which draws us anew to the manger. – Fr. John P Mack Jr