Mary Did You Know

Recently I met up with an old friend from college. Within moments of greeting one another, it was as if we had never been apart. It was then that I thought how fortunate I am and blessed beyond measure. Blessed that I was given the opportunity to live in different places and to have met many different people over the years. I think Mary, mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth could have been like this.

When returning home, I was listening to the song “Mary Did You Know” and thinking about the birth of Christ. It dawned on me that Mary may not have had a complete understanding of the task she had been given; giving birth to the Christ child, the Messiah! How fearful she could have been. She had never given birth before. She wasn’t even married. Birth before marriage was a shameful thing. But, for God, who intervened on her and Joseph’s behalf, the miracle plays out before us in the Gospels. Luke 1:46-55 gives us Mary’s Song of Praise over what was to come. Her words indicate that she truly did grasp the magnitude of what was to come. She may or may not have known the details but she understood the big picture.

Mary's Song of Praise

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

As a mother, the childhood and toddler years are dramatic, especially with the first child. I was constantly calling my mom and asking questions. Mary was told in Luke 1:30, ”…Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Those words to us would be thrilling and terrifying all at once I think. In 4 short verses, Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, laid everything out to Mary. (Luke 1:30-33) God chose HER as the mother of His Son! I get goosebumps just thinking of this.

When we meditate on things of this nature, we learn about the nature of God. We learn that he cares about us and he wants the best for us. That doesn’t mean wealth or ease in our life for we are created for work, but it does mean that He will provide. Please enjoy one of my most favorite Christmas songs and meditate on the magnificence of God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af73Qt1kkhk