A Human Being, the Paradise of God…

When the Angel came to announce to Mary that she was to conceive a child, Mary asked: “How can this be, if I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34) Mary was about fifteen years of age, and was already engaged to Joseph, although not married, properly speaking. Mary was a girl like other girls in that she knew perfectly how children come about. “How can this be, if I am a virgin?” Mary’s question does not make any sense if we do not suppose two things. First, Mary intended to remain a virgin her whole life: she had consecrated herself totally to God. Second, Joseph knew about this and was in agreement with Mary (Cf. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, III part, question 28, article 4).

Now, why had Mary intended to remain a virgin, if every Jewish woman was supposed to be open to the possibility of becoming the mother of the Messiah? Or open—at least—to helping Israel, God’s people, to grow? This intention to remain a virgin must have been an inspiration from God. Mary knew that God wanted her for Himself, as a virgin. Mary was sure that this was God’s will for her. So, when the Angel Gabriel came to her and said: “You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a child,” (Luke 1:31) Mary asked, “How can this be?” It is as if Mary were saying:

“Oh Lord, You told me to be a virgin, and now You tell me that I will be mother. You either want me to beget a child as all people do, or else you want to do something wondrous in me. I know all things are possible for You, but I am not worthy to ask You for a miracle, I am not worthy to think of myself as the object of so great an act of Power. What do you want me to do, my Lord? Will someone be my spouse in the flesh… or will You be my Spouse?”

Listen to the Angel’s response, how delicate are the words the Angel uses to tell Mary Who will be her Spouse: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you…” (Luke 1:35) “I will be your Spouse, Mary, says the Lord. I kept you for Me alone. You will be the Mother of my own Son in His human nature.”

Mary said: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.” I belong to Him. “Let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

“Amen, let it be, yes, my Lord and my God! Nothing is better than what You want for me. Nothing can be better than You. Nothing can be better than to have You as my Spouse, and to have God as my own Son.”

God surprises us many times. Mary had a plan for her life, but God’s plan was unimaginably far better than she had thought. We all have plans in life: we want to achieve this or that, or we think that if we get this or that we will succeed and will be happy, and so we ask God for this or that… And we are frustrated when we don’t get what we want. But the plan of God is different, it is better: “I will be your Spouse. I will be the happiness of your heart. I mean not to just give you ‘something’—I mean to give you Myself. I am the inexhaustible fountain of happiness and life. Come to Me, and I will give you rest. Why do you spend money on what does not satisfy, why do you work so hard for vanities and wind…? (Cf. Isaiah 55:1-3) Come to Me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). I made you for me, I predestined you to be Mine. I know you and what you need.”

“Come to me, and I will give you rest.” When we commit sin, we know that God wants from us something different, but we prefer to follow our own designs. If instead of committing sin we followed the plan of God, how happy our lives would be! What a difference! You may have thought that your heart—like the manger—was good only for feeding animals, the ox and lamb, sheep and cattle, but instead God plans to actually be born in your heart. Prepare Him a room. Let Him change your plan. You wanted your heart to be a stall, a barn, but God wants you to be His Paradise. There are things in our lives which do not allow God to enter our hearts as a guest. There is actually only one thing: sin. Christmas is this invitation: “Let me in, says the Lord, and I will be your Light and your Peace.”

Mary received that Light in her womb, and immediately went to help her cousin Elizabeth, and then, at her cousin’s house Mary burst into praises to the Lord. When God’s Love enters your heart, that Love does not remain hidden but overflows. It overflows in actions, in good actions towards your neighbour. It overflows in joy, because God loves you and you know it. It overflows in praises and thanksgiving, because life is good and you need to thank God for it, and everybody needs to know how thankful you are. It is a win-win: when we give God what He wants, when we follow His plan, we obtain the happiness we thirst for, and God obtains the only thing He desires from us—our love.

Christmas is so close: Jesus is knocking at our door. Let us open ourselves to Him. Let us welcome His plan. Let us make room for Him: we may need to get rid of some old furniture, like pride, greed, lust, etc., but it’s worth it. With Jesus, our humble barn becomes the palace of a King, and our life of misery becomes the Paradise where God walks with human beings: “The Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.” (Cf. Isaiah 30:30)


Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end. (Is 9:7)
Rejoice in the Lord, again I say “Rejoice”. The Lord is near. (Phil 4:4-5)
Let the earth be opened, and bring forth a Saviour. (CF Is 45:8)