Blue Christmas?

Not long ago, our Roman brethren celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and yesterday was the commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This got me thinking. I am not a typical Mary-bashing Protestant, being an Anglican evangelical. However, I have many reservations about those practices that are not grounded firmly in Scripture. I can affirm the Virgin Birth (talking about Mary being a virgin at Christ's conception), but not the perpetual virginity of Mary. I can say the Magnificat in the Daily Office, without wondering if I am giving too much focus on her. I can affirm that in some way the prayers of the martyrs (a la the Apocalypse) are in continuity with heaven and earth, without embracing a full on cult of the saints, and certainly with no pretensions in the direction of Mary being acclaimed Coredemptrix. There was an interesting paper about the place of Mary put out by the Anglican Communion/Roman Catholic dialogue, which I must admit not reading in its entirety. Certainly the life and faith of Mary is commendable, and Protestants generally do not give her enough credit. Many esteem Calvin, Wesley, and Luther to the same degree many Roman Christians hold Mary.

So here's a cyber-pint to Mary this Advent and Christmastide. May light perpetual shine upon her, as with all the faithful departed. Let us remember what amazing young woman she was a Godbearer. May we likewise bear the presence of God in the fullness of the Holy Spirit as a witness to the world.