What was Christmas like for Mary, Our Blessed Mother?

I began this article in a more devotional vein, but found myself stuck on a part of Christmas that I had never given much thought to. What was Christmas like for Mary, mother or Jesus, our Blessed mother? I know that Protestants are uncomfortable, even to the point of accusing blasphemy for calling Mary by her rightful titles: Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Our Blessed Mother. I, like St. Paul, was one of the accusers, 'in fact one of the worst' at one time. Being a pretty smart and smart mouthed I could out argue anyone. And being born and raised in a protestant environment, I knew nothing but negative things about Notre Dame (Our Lady). I was pretty vehement in her criticism. But I went and married this Catholic guy, had kids and went to the grotto of Lourdes accidental, fell in love with 'the lady of sorrows'....but that's another story.

Back to the Mary of Christmas. Now even if we could make a case that Mary was not Immaculately Conceived (which I would not do; being a former anti-catholic makes me the best apologist or defender of the faith), there are some glaring points in the Christmas story which prove unequivocally that Mary was and is Regina, Queen of Heaven.

Mary gave birth in a cave or barn. I mean ladies, if you've had a child or even just a gynecological visit, can you imagine it taking place in a barn? I can't even imagine it, let alone contemplate it. I'm all for natural childbirth but when nature is actually crowding around snuffling, mooing, honking, clucking and whatever else animals do in a Bethlehem stable, no. We've crossed the line. The carols sing about 'the friendly beasts' but show me a woman who will bare all, suffer travail (labor) with smelly animals snooping and pooping everywhere and I will show you a woman who has flatlined.