Mary in the Midst of Israel's Waiting (XIII)

"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given" (Is 9:6) The fact that an entire nation awaited the coming of the Messiah foretold by a long series of prophets over the period of many centuries is something truly extraordinary, never seen before in the history of the world. This expectation is fulfilled by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Christmas. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the power to rule shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his rule and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever (Is 9:6-7). Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of mankind, accomplished and exceeded all expectations of Israel and all the promises of God, by freeing us from sin and death and by opening the gates of the kingdom of heaven for us. By hosting the Father's Son in her womb, the only-begotten Son of God, true God from true God, the Virgin also performed all that was foretold in the Old Covenant which may concern her: She is the Ark of the New Covenant, the Dwelling of the Lord (cf. Ex 25), the New Tree of Life, which gives immortality (cf. Gen 2), "the Morning Star among the clouds, like the Moon at the full" (Si 50:6), Noah's Dove bringing back the crown of peace (cf. Gen 8:11), the Burning Bush of the revelation blazing but not being burnt up (cf. Ex 3:2), the Garden of Eden and the Paradise of the Son of God on earth (cf. Gen 2), the Rainbow or "sign of the covenant" between God and humanity (Gen 9:13), the Temple Mountain which "the peoples will stream to" (Mi 4:1), Noah's Ark bringing the world's salvation (cf. Gen 6), Jacob Ladder uniting heaven and earth (cf. Gen 28:12), Gideon's Woolen Fleece covered with the dew of Heaven (cf. Judg 6:36), the Temple and the Holy of Holies reserved for the glory of the Lord (cf. 1 Kings 6:19), the Golden Jar filled with manna from the desert (cf. Ex 16:33). As Jael and Judith, she struck down the enemy of mankind. As with Esther, the King approves of the powerful intercession of the Queen, who seduces him. In contrast to Sarah, she always had faith in God's promises. She surpasses Deborah, Myriam, Rebecca, Rachel or the mother of the Maccabees: she is truly the strong woman of Israel (cf. Prov 31:29).