The Fifth of the Twelve Days of Christmas

The Holy Family with St. Ann by El Greco

This past Sunday we celebrated the feast of the Holy Family, the Sunday in the octave of Christmas. A grandparent's love for a grandchild is a special love indeed. Imagine the depths of Ann's love for Mary and for her grandson, Jesus...

He was but a baby: a son and grandson...
Did you stay, Ann, to help your daughter with her newborn?
Did your son-in-law welcome you? make you feel at home?

Did you know the mystery of this baby's birth?
Had they told you of the angel's visit to Mary?
Of the angels in Joseph's dreams?
Did you wonder, too, what would become of this small one?

Your eyes, your gaze tell me that in your heart
you knew what Mary knew:
mothers and daughters know these things...

Your little grandson is hungry now
and he turns to his mother for nourishment...
Nourish your daughter with your presence, Ann,
and help us to care for each other
as members of one family...
It's true, Ann:
a grandmother's work is never done...