A Virgin A Day: My Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Trying to modify my attitude

while changing the date once again

for the Christmas gathering of my family.

Thoughts of “Why am I always the one 

who needs to accommodate others’ plans? 

Why can’t we have a tradition set in stone 

so I don’t go through this each year?”

Frustration layers upon resentment 

till I just want to go to bed 

and stay there till the onset of the new year.

Then I gaze upon your face, sweet Mother, 

and I ponder your long journey to Bethlehem

while being heavily laden with your divine Babe.

Your Immaculate Heart overcame

any questions concerning the reason

for this journey of 80 miles,

just to be counted for the greedy King 

and his tax-filled purse.

I ask your intercession now, Holy Mother, 

to help me remember that there are 12 days of Christmas,

not just the eve of Christmas and your birthday on the 25th, 

and to ask your Son to send me the grace

in order that our family’s Christmas get-together

will be filled with thoughts 

of the reason for the celebration-

Jesus’ birth and our gratitude for your “yes.”