She grew up with a Spirit nurtured by the prophecies of Israel.

Since her young years, accompanying her mother to the water fountain to get the precious liquid, she could hear the comments.

Among women, whenever the subject was brought up, they asked each other when the moment would come and who would be the lucky mother of the awaited Messiah.

At night, in dreams, she was visited by Messengers who told her about accomplishments that she kept in the intimacy of her soul.

But then, shortly before dawn, on an early spring morning in Nazareth, she was called by a voice: Miriam. Her egyptian-hebrew name, meaning beloved of God.

She woke up. What strange light was that in her room? It was not coming from the door. It was not the sun, still enveloped, at that hour, by the quiet shroud of night.

Whose silhouette was that? Who was that man that dared to enter her room?

I am Gabriel, he identifies himself, one of Yahweh's messengers. I come to confirm what your heart is expecting, for so long.

Your body shall shelter the glory of Israel. You shall conceive and give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of Most High and his kingdom will never end.

Mary listens. The words reach her covered by affection, and the prophetic phrases pass through her mind.

She feels so small for such an enormous task. Be the mother of the Lord. She stammers: I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.

The messenger leaves and she waits. Luke the Evangelist, years later, would register her canticle of glory, named Magnificat:

My soul glorifies the Lord! And my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.

And from now on all generations will call me blessed!

For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

He has being merciful to Abraham, just as He promised!

She conceived a body to the most perfect being that Earth has ever seen. Her breasts fed Him during the early months. She bathed Him, sheltered Him and held Him strongly against her chest more than once. And more than once, she probably thought:

My son, hear my heart beating next to yours. There will come a day when I will not be able to hide You from the wrath of men. But for now, my beloved, allow me to guard and protect You.

She followed His growth, saw Him begin his apprenticeship with His father, who taught Him the initial verses of the Torah, according to the Jewish prescription, although he was sure the boy already knew all that.

At the Synagogue, she saw Him standing out from the other boys and frightening the doctors. Her Jesus, her Son, her Lord. She was distressed more than once while she was watching Him sleep. What would be done of Him?

Mary, mother of Jesus. Mother of us all. Mother of Humankind. We are thankful for the gift you offered us, and with Christmas approaching, we say: Thank you, mother.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on the chapter A mãe de Jesus, from the book Personagens da Boa Nova, by Maria Helena Marcon, publishing house Fep.

December 22.2010.