Unveiling Mary’s Nativity: a riddle for ecclesiastical tradition

The reader may well ask: *if the Church’s Tradition did not exist for a moment, could we still speak of the Nativity of Mary?* This question may seem audacious, but it leads us to examine the history behind the birth of the Mother of Jesus.While the Nativity of Mary is not a biblical fact, it is a historical event that plays a crucial role in human history. If Jesus is truly human, this is due to his mother, Mary, and to his own history, which dates back to his birth.

This simple reflection challenges the typical question: *where is this in the Bible?* It reminds us that the Word of God and the history of salvation are intrinsically linked, and we often forget that biblical figures have a real history, a face, a journey, and a purpose.

The Historical Context of Mary’s Nativity

To understand the context of this topic, let us examine Jerusalem, the city of God for the Hebrews. In this sacred place, we see the connection between the old and new Covenants, represented by the Temple and the birth of God’s new Ark of the Covenant with humanity: Mary. Jerusalem is where typologies shape feasts and sanctuaries, and where the Nativity of Mary finds its meaning.How can we celebrate Mary’s death and Assumption without celebrating her birth? It is logical to think that pilgrimage to holy places would inspire liturgical celebrations in other parts of Western and Eastern Christianity.The earliest indications of the celebration of Mary’s Nativity date back to the 5th century, when a hymn for the Nativity was composed by Romanus the Melode, later introduced in Constantinople in 555. In the Latin Church, the feast was included in the liturgical calendar by Pope Theodore in the 7th century.For the ancient Church, this liturgical feast was a memorial that celebrated the fulfillment of messianic prophecies by the Prophets and the preparation of the old Covenant. As the liturgy developed, all events leading up to Christ’s Passover were celebrated, including Mary, the Apostles, and the Church of Jerusalem. The tradition of figures from the Old Testament and oracles became part of the mystery of salvation celebrated.

Mary and the Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies

For Jesus to be truly the fulfillment of Scripture, it was necessary that throughout his life he demonstrate that the prophecies had been fulfilled. Here, the Nativity of Mary comes into play, as Jesus is called the Son of David due to his legal relationship with Joseph, although we do not know if Mary was of Davidic or priestly lineage.A relevant fact: historically, blessings were passed down strictly through the male line, but in Jesus’ genealogy, we find four women. This suggests that from the earliest centuries, Mary was primarily viewed in her religious and spiritual aspect, while today we tend to explore her historical and anthropological background.Mary’s birth may not be recorded in the Written Word, but her ancestry and importance in the patriarchal and royal history of Israel connect her to the dawn of the new age.When examining the liturgy of the Nativity, we see how the readings from the Prophet Micah, the Letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew intertwine to demonstrate the fulfillment of Scripture and the preparation for the birth of the Savior.The celebration of the Nativity of Mary is essential for understanding the journey of salvation and the connection between the Old and New Testaments. The feast reminds us that Mary played a vital role in the history of redemption and that her story is an indispensable link in salvation.Archaeology also reveals the location of Mary’s birthplace near the Pool of Bethesda, which became a place of worship in the 5th century. This feast holds its place in the liturgical calendar as part of the “Three Great Nativities”: Jesus on December 25, John the Baptist on June 24, and Mary, nine months after her Immaculate Conception on September 8. This last date is particularly significant, marking the dawn of redemption and coinciding with the dedication of the Nativity Basilica.The Byzantine liturgical year begins on September 1, making Mary’s birth the starting point for a profound spiritual journey. The Theotokos’ Passover on August 15, which concludes the Byzantine liturgical year, prepares the ground for the natal-revelatory cycle, reminding us that there is no Messiah without the Paschal Mystery, which is completed in Mary’s womb.

The Nativity of Mary in Patristic Tradition

In this Mariological commemoration, I recall one of Saint Andrew of Crete’s sermons, a 8th-century bishop, where he explores the renewal that occurs at Mary’s Nativity, showing how Christ is the fulfillment of the law, transforming it from an oppressive yoke into spiritual freedom. Mary’s birth is the beginning of a series of events that will culminate in the union of the Word with flesh, Christ’s incarnation. The bishop emphasized in his sermon that this feast is a meeting point between the Old and New Testaments.Although not directly recorded in the Bible, the Nativity of Mary plays a crucial role in the history of salvation. It connects us to the messianic promise, to the preparation of the old Covenant, and to the beginning of the new Covenant. This feast invites us to understand the Old and New Testaments and Mary’s place in the history of redemption. Celebrating the Nativity of Mary is celebrating hope and the dawn of salvation for the whole world.To deepen the study of Mary’s place in the history of salvation, we recommend reading Pope John Paul II’s encyclical *Redemptoris Mater*.Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Graduate Program in Mariology.Daniel Cerqueira Afonso

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