What kind of image do you have of Mary, the mother of Jesus?
In Western art, Mary has long been a famous and beloved subject, often portrayed as the serene and radiant “Virgin Mary.”
In the Bible, the books known as the Gospels record the life of Jesus. The story surrounding his birth — where Mary plays a central role — is the well-known Christmas story, which you may already be familiar with.
One day, an angel appeared to Mary, who was still a virgin, and told her that through the power of the Holy Spirit, she would conceive a son. And just as the angel said, she became pregnant and gave birth to Jesus. The angel also told her that this child would be called “the Holy One, the Son of God.”
(If you’d like to explore Mary’s mysterious experience at Jesus’ birth more deeply, check out our manga “The Shepherds’ Invitation,” which portrays this Christmas story.)
Most of what the Gospels record about Jesus focuses on his adult life, but even the few details about his early years tell us that he grew up just like any other human child. He was held, fed, clothed, and cared for by his mother.
But what kind of mother was Mary?
Was she always calm and smiling gently, like the Mary we see in religious paintings, even when baby Jesus cried at night? Probably not. Like any mother, she likely had moments of exhaustion, frustration, and uncertainty as she raised her son.
Even though Jesus’ birth was beyond human understanding, the words the angel had spoken—about who Jesus truly was—may have faded into the background amid the busy days of motherhood.
Raising children—whether small or in their teenage years—comes with its own challenges.
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about how Mary and Jesus interacted as mother and son, but there’s one short story that stands out: the episode often called “The Boy Jesus Lost in the Temple” (Luke 2:41–52).
In this story, we can sense Mary’s joy in watching her son grow, as well as her deep anxiety when she realizes he’s missing. When she finally finds Jesus, his words—calling the temple “In His Father’s House”—seem to awaken in her memory the angel’s message from years before: Who is this child, really?
The manga “My Father’s House” retells this event from Mary’s perspective. The story is narrated by an older Mary, reflecting back on her life after Jesus is no longer with her.
When Jesus turned thirty, he began his ministry as the promised Messiah, gathering followers and teaching about God’s kingdom. But about three years later, the religious leaders, threatened by his influence, had him crucified.
For the Jewish people, crucifixion was considered the most cursed form of death—something unthinkable for someone called “the Son of God.”
How painful it must have been for Mary to witness her son, once proclaimed holy and blessed, dying in such a way. For his disciples, it was a moment of utter despair—but for Mary, the agony must have been beyond words.
Yet, that was not the end.
Jesus’ death on the cross was part of God’s great plan to save humanity. He rose again, conquering death, and ascended to heaven—to the true “Father’s House.” There, He lives even now as the Savior and God.
Nothing is impossible for God.
It was by His power that Mary conceived Jesus as a virgin, and it was by that same power that Jesus rose from the dead. Through all the mysteries she lived through, Mary became the closest witness to the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Perhaps you, too, have faced things in life that defy understanding. Maybe you’re struggling right now with something that feels impossible to overcome.
But remember this:
Nothing is impossible with God.
