VATICAN - Walking towards Christmas - Christ announced by the Scriptures - Announcement and fulfilment (2)

Rome (Fides Service) - THE WOMAN, HER OFFSPRING. VICTORY OVER THE EVIL ONE, SALVATION OF MANKIND
After the sin and fall of Adam and Eve, God announces salvation and says to the serpent: « I shall put enmity between you and the woman,and between your offspring and hers; it will bruise your head." » (Genesis 3, 15).
There is conflict between Mankind and the Evil One, the final victory will be for mankind. This victory is attributed to a Man born of a Woman. The Messiah will fight and his Mother will be with Him in this struggle and victory.
Saint Paul tells us : « In the fullness of time God sent his Son born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the law, so that we could receive adoption as sons » (Galations 4, 4-5).
At the Wedding Feast in Cana, Jesus says to His mother : « 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet? » (John 2, 4), but he listens to his Mother and performs his first MIRACLE, announcement of the Good Wine of the New Covenant, His own Blood.
And when the time came to leave this world and return to his Father, as he hung from the Cross Jesus said: « Woman behold your son » (John 19, 26). Then, having accomplished all, He commended his Spirit (cf ohn v. 19, 30).
Mary’s new son John has a vision which he describes in the Book of Revelation :« Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. » (Revelation 12, 1) (J.M.) (Fides Service, 11 December 2006)