The third of the Twelve Days of Christmas

I'm a man. And I have no children. But I imagine that mothers must have at least a moment in their hearts when they feel what Mary is imaged to be experiencing in the sculpture above by Timothy P. Schmaltz which he titles, Maternal Bond.

O Mary,
Mother of our brother, Jesus,
and Mother of us all,
you were one with your child
in your arms
as you were one with your child
in your womb...

As you knew the wonder and joy
of holding the fruit of your womb
in your embrace,
lead us to know the joy and wonder
of being held in the arms
of the One who filled yours...

Renew in us a spirit of awe
that our God has chosen
to live among us,
as One like us in all things
but sin.

In these days of Christmas joy,
hold us, your sons and daughters,
with our brother, Jesus,
in the bond we share with you,
the mother of Christ's body,
the Church...