By Ken Canedo

During Advent we focus on the coming of Jesus and joyfully celebrate his birth on Christmas. There is another person who deserves our devotion at this blessed time of year: Jesus' mother Mary, who was so instrumental to the whole Nativity event.

In recognition of Mary and her unique role in the story of salvation, the Catholic Church celebrates the following feast days in her honor during the Advent and Christmas seasons:

• December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
  My Lady
• December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
  Our Lady of Guadalupe
• January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
  Hail Mary: Gentle Woman

In addition to these three days, Mary is a key figure on the Third and Fourth Sundays of Advent, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, on Holy Family Sunday, and on the Epiphany. The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus (February 2) completes the Marian connection to the Christmas story. It begins again the very next month on March 25 with the Feast of the Annunciation.

Our non-Catholic friends sometimes wonder why we give so much attention to Mary. Doesn't she distract us from Jesus? On the contrary, Mary helps point the way to Christ. She is our model for Christian faith in the way she gave her life totally to God. In her love for Jesus, Mary teaches us how to love God. It is to Mary that we can turn for help when we are challenged because of our faith and our commitment to the Christian life.

To find out more about what Catholics believe about Mary: Learning About Mary

Throughout my life I have been nourished by Mary's strength and example. In her honor, I wrote this reflection prayer that appears in Spirit and Song 2.

MARY'S "YES"
Mary could have said No.
She was promised in marriage to Joseph.
To become pregnant by another would dishonor her betrothed
and risk her life in the community.

Mary could have said No.
Herod plotted to kill her child.
Simeon prophesied that her heart would be pierced.
Her young Son was lost for three days in the temple.

Mary could have said No,
to avoid the sorrow of her Son's humiliation and crucifixion,
the anguish of cradling his broken body in her arms,
and the despair of witnessing her Savior seemingly lost forever.

But Mary said Yes.
Be it done unto me
according to your word.

Mary said Yes.
For God who is mighty
has done great things for me.

Mary said Yes,
and through her faith
salvation came to a world starved for love.

Dear Mary, Mother most Holy,

Help me say Yes as you did,
that God may work wonders
through my own faith and life.

Help me say Yes,
that the world may know of your Son
through my words and actions.

Help me say Yes,
that I may proclaim with you
the greatness of the Lord,
and find joy in God, my Savior.