Mary and her newborn baby are usually pictured as radiant beings far from the reality of a frightened young woman giving birth in difficult circumstances. Yet as the start of the Church’s year approaches, focusing on the humanity of mother and child makes plain God’s desire for us all Excitement and joy flow out from Tom and Rhianna whenever they talk about the pregnancy. Their delight is infectious but more striking is their sense of privilege – to be having this baby is a wondrous gift. Together they’ve opened up a heightened awareness of the miracle, hope, promise of this one new life, a recognition of the holiness, fragility and wonder of this baby, their baby. There is a new stillness in them, as if each is gracing the other in a growing mindfulness about wha