Mary of the Empty Arms

Dec 11

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O where, O where has my poor babe gone?
Where, O where can he be?
He must be hungry and quite forlorn—
Where, O where can he be?

 
Text and photo © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher
 
Photo: Catedral de la Asunción de María Santísima, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
 
More A-Virgin-a-Day photos and stories at Recuerda Mi Corazon here
 
More Straight Out of the Camera shots here
 
More Mellow Yellow Monday photos here
 
More Shadow Shot Sunday photos here
 
More Ruby Tuesday photos here

Posted on December 11, 2011, in A Virgin a Day, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mellow Yellow Monday, Mexico, Ruby Tuesday, Shadow Shot Sunday, Straight Out of the Camera Sunday. Bookmark the permalink. 31 Comments.

  1. Spadoman | December 11, 2011 at 5:26 am

    We had this discussion yesterday. We were talking about the old days when a neighbor was angry that we put the Jesus out in the nativity before Christmas Day. She thought the baby Jesus shouldn’t be placed in the manger until the actual day we celebrate his birth. Does this statue represent that? I have never seen one like it and it is fascinating. Where’s the haiku? Or, was none needed? Fine work my friend.

    Peace

    Reply
  2. Momgen | December 11, 2011 at 5:55 am

    Aha where is the baby? Well, maybe someone took it:) Visiting from SOOC Sunday.

    Reply
  3. QMM | December 11, 2011 at 6:21 am

    When I think about the images of Mary holding the infant and then the image of the Pieta, this image just fits right in. Mary arms always ope and a smile on her face after losing the most precious thing in her life. A beautiful painting.
    QMM

    Reply
  4. vickie | December 11, 2011 at 6:54 am

    This is beautiful,thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  5. Donna | December 11, 2011 at 6:55 am

    This is both joyful and sorrowful at the same time. Certainly exactly like Our Mother Mary’s life.

    Reply
  6. Sherrie | December 11, 2011 at 8:34 am

    Hi!
    So beautiful! Have a great day!

    Sherrie
    Food for Thought

    Reply
  7. CArol | December 11, 2011 at 8:40 am

    Wonderful image of the Blessed Mother ~ ‘Our Lady’ ~~ thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy AVAD

    Reply
  8. Sue Fox | December 11, 2011 at 9:17 am

    Empty nest syndrome I think, he has his own sheep to look after now! ;~)

    Sue x

    Reply
  9. Lenora | December 11, 2011 at 9:19 am

    I like the comparison to the Pieta! Baby of no baby this is beautiful! She looks so sweet and young! Maybe the baby will appear again on the 25th as he does on some traditions.. i forget where we copied that tradition from but the mangers in our nativities around the house are empty until Christmas when the baby appears..

    Reply
  10. pritilisa | December 11, 2011 at 9:20 am

    I have never seen a statue like this one.
    Heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.
    I like the little song too :)
    ♥♥♥

    Reply
  11. Dawn Elliott | December 11, 2011 at 9:23 am

    The expression on Mary’s face is so benevolent and loving, even though she must be longing for her son. Yet, lucky for us, all those emotions have now been passed on to humankind.
    Beautiful!

    Reply
  12. alexa | December 11, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Rather poignant, isn’t it? I hope the baby Jesus is back in her arms on Christmas too.

    Reply
  13. gemma | December 11, 2011 at 10:19 am

    Those arms ache to hold her little one.

    Reply
  14. Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio | December 11, 2011 at 11:19 am

    What an energetic statue-and I too, have not seen one with Mary’s arms empty. Very apropo. I imagine that there is an infant in her arms comes Christmas Day. Like Joe, I admit, I was surprised to not see a haiku! You’ve set a standard it seems, that you cannot retreat from!

    Reply
  15. rebecca | December 11, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    dear one,

    each morning we have thrown open the doors to our hearts.

    we have called out glory, love, compassion.

    day after day we have set out welcoming chairs in the

    house of belonging.

    lifting the veil of sacred existence.

    beveled off the edges of difference and distance

    to see more deeply the

    unbearable beauty of simply being,

    one.

    for this and so much more i thank you,

    and look forward to our forever

    mornings.

    Reply
  16. Meri of Meri's Musings & Playing Along | December 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Did Child Protective Services step in because they didn’t like that Mary & Joseph were housing their baby with barnyard animals?

    Reply
  17. ricochet | December 11, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    In the book Ramona (by Helen Hunt Jackson) Ramona talks about removing the baby from Mary’s arms to entice Mary to answer a supplication.

    Reply
  18. Kelly | December 11, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Where IS the babe? It seems so sad!

    Reply
  19. Fran aka Redondowriter | December 11, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Richochet’s reply is one that will take me to Google. I know what Spadoman’s neighbor was thinking when she judged that Jesus shouldn’t appear until he was born. That’s the way the nativity scenes in churches work, but–our yards are not institutional churches. I have never seen this statue before and there is a poignancy about it, but in her mind, Mary is cradling that baby as her arms are placed just so. As for me personally, I know that sometimes my ego gets in the way and I make Jesus invisible. That wouldn’t be Mary’s M.O., however. I wonder if the artist did have a Jesus and for whatever reasons he isn’t there now. Do you know?

    Reply
  21. Angie | December 11, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Gone to a wet nurse? Maybe change the diaper (or whatever!).

    Reply
  22. Liz | December 11, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    This is so beautiful. Have a fabulous week.

    Juicy Sweet Orange
    Meatball Spaghetti

    Reply
  23. genie | December 11, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    This is one of the most beautiful statues of the Virgin Mary I have seen of late. Her face is so ethereal. You would think she would be in tears, but that is not the case.She appears to be at peace. A gorgeous capture of souch a special statue. genie

    Reply
  24. Kim,USA | December 11, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    I so love these photo. I can’t wait to see baby Jesus on the arms of Mother Mary.

    MYM

    Reply
  25. Hootin' Anni | December 12, 2011 at 4:41 am

    I’ve never seen this before…it really conjures up a lot of thoughts on the religions; a sad case perhaps or maybe not.

    My Monday Post is: Holiday Golden Flame

    Happy Monday…have a great week ahead.

    Reply
  26. Ranu Chakraborty | December 12, 2011 at 4:49 am

    Seriously where is baby Jesus???? He shd be with his mom!!!!

    Reply
  27. HansHB | December 12, 2011 at 8:11 am

    In Norway we have “Jul” and “Julefeiring” words used before Jesus was born. And the night to December 13th was a very special night called “Lussi Langnatt”… Perhaps “Åsgårdsreia” was here??
    I wish you a happy afternoon!

    Reply
  28. Seow Wei | December 13, 2011 at 10:04 am

    A mother will miss her baby very much.

    Reply
  29. Jessica Cassidy | December 16, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    the statue of the Virgin Mary is so pretty :-) Dropping some late love for MYM, hope that you can return the favor too

    Reply

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