The shepherds saw the law and the prophets fulfilled in Mary

Joseph and Mary were the keepers of the Lamb of God in the way the shepherds were the keepers of the lambs of the Temple.

The shepherds saw the law and the prophets fulfilled in Mary. We see it fulfilled in us.

After seeing the infant in the arms of his mother, “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen.” In Mary, they saw the great fulfillment of exactly what the great blessing of the Israelites called for in our first reading:

“The Lord bless you and keep you!” Moses instructed the priests to pray, and here was Mary, blessed by the Father and kept safe for the Son.

“The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!” the blessing continued, and here, the face of God himself shone on Mary, full of grace.

“The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” said the blessing, and here Mary is attended by angels singing “Peace on earth!”

We now know that this blessing isn’t Mary’s alone, however. It is for all of us. We pray Psalm 67 at Mass: “May he let his face shine upon us,” all of us. “May your way be known upon earth among all nations,” we pray, including our nation. “May the people praise you, O God, may all the people praise you!” we continue. “May all the ends of the earth fear him!”

We are praying that we may each receive the blessing Mary received first.

Tom Hoopes, December 29, 2022

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