Mary has several meanings, but the ones I like best are “wished-for child” and “beloved”. Mary is a family name on both sides of our families. Some of the Mary’s are: my maternal grandmother’s middle name, maternal first cousin, and many others in my Catholic history. Trent’s paternal great-grandmother was Mary, and many others through his family line as well.
Jubilee means a season or occasion for celebration; a special anniversary, especially a 50th year. This name is meaningful to me for a couple big reasons. First, an occasion for celebration. I believe every life is worth celebrating. Rather than feel ashamed, embarrassed, or uncomfortable having an eighth baby in a world composed of mostly two child families, we celebrated. We celebrated the life of this child, so wished-for, cherished, and beloved.
The second level of this name is spiritual to me. In Scripture, the year of Jubilee came after 49 years of doing things their own way. In the year of Jubilee the Israelites were commanded to revert property back to God’s original plan. In America, this specific meaning of Jubilee does not apply to us. However, for 49 years our country has done a grave injustice to the unborn children by aborting them for any reason. In the 49th year, Roe was overturned, giving states the decision making power. While many states (my own included) continue in pursuit of injustice, several have risen as dedicated to the preservation of life. This is the 50th year, the Year of Jubilee, a year for celebrating every life.
(Mary & her little lamb: 1 week old)
One of my hopes is that by the time my Mary Jubilee is 50 years old and another Jubilee has come that abortion will be as abhorrent and unthinkable as slavery is today.
She is our grand finale. Our great celebration of many lives the Lord has given us to parent. And so, we celebrate!
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