NGUYEN: From a trembling ‘Yes’ to Christmas joy

Christmas has always been my favorite season of the year. There is something undeniably beautiful about this time — the sky somewhat clearer and calmer, the gentle, caressing touch of a crisp breeze on one’s face, and the excitement of families reconnecting. It fills the heart with warmth.

While the world anticipates Christmas joy through countless carols, it often does so without fully recognizing the deeper cause that gives rise to profound and authentic joy: the total surrender of one’s will to God’s.

St. Luke the Evangelist recounts the breathtaking moment of the Annunciation — the moment for which heaven and earth paused and awaited Mary’s response: an unenforced yes, “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38), after the angel had announced to Mary that she had found favor with God and had been chosen to bear the Son of God (Lk 1:28-32). This great honor did not unfold on a tide of ease; rather, it came through the trembling yes of Mary — a yes that also led to Joseph’s dismay.

The Church fathers teach that Mary conceived the Word through her ears, through her sense of hearing, at the Annunciation. The moment she heard God’s message and responded with her trembling yes, yet with trust, the Child Jesus entered her womb, and soon afterwards the angel departed. Mary then continued along a path marked by many dark and lonely moments: being misunderstood by Joseph during her pregnancy, completing the challenging flight into Egypt, and ultimately standing at the foot of the Cross.

When Joseph first learned of Mary’s unexpected pregnancy in a dream, he was deeply troubled. As a righteous man, however, he ultimately chose mercy and unwavering obedience to God’s message. Like Mary, Joseph also surrendered to God’s will amid confusion and uncertainty. Through his quiet trust, he made room for the holy family to flourish.

At some point during her pregnancy, Mary must have experienced many sleepless nights as she came to realize that the weight she carried was not only the Child Jesus but also the growing burden of skepticism from others.

The world often overlooks this phase of Mary’s pregnancy. We, too, during Advent, rush straight into the celebration of Christ’s birth with its many hallmarks.

During this Christmas season, let us pause and contemplate Mary and Joseph for all they endured to bring joy into the world. Christmas joy is more than sentiment or celebration; it springs from hearts aligned with God’s will — like Mary and Joseph, who always placed themselves last after Jesus and humankind. 

Let us follow their examples with the acronym JOY as a simple and perfect reminder: Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. 

Sister Maria Goretti Thuy Nguyen, OP, is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.