Mary did you know?

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38 NIV

Real MOMent

“IT’S  TIME!”  The holiday season has commenced. I love this time of year, I love Christmas music, and, I confess, I listen to it all year! I mean, when it's 101 degrees in July, “Let it Snow” sounds like a nice idea.

Whatever your position is on when to listen or not to listen to Christmas music (no judgment either way), we might agree that there are some songs that just hit differently during Christmas and, for me, that song is Mary Did you Know?

I have listened to Mary Did You Know? a hundred times, but it wasn’t until I became a mother that I started to consider what it must have been like for Mary to actually be the mother of Jesus, (no pressure there). I have been blessed with two beautiful children, but as babies there were many nights that I wouldn’t describe as silent!  Just read (or sing) the first few lines of the song: 

Mary, did you know 

That your baby boy 

Would one day walk on water?

Mary did you you know, that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy 

Has come to make you new?

Those are some intense questions, right? If you asked me what I was making for dinner tonight, I would probably pause and ask you for some ideas on what I should cook (cereal, you say? Good choice 😂).

Seriously, every time I listen to the song, it always turns into an internal conversation where I sing a verse and ask myself the question, did Mary know? Surely, she would have known about the prophecy of a Messiah, but did she know that she would be the woman chosen to bring the Messiah into the world? Did Mary’s mother know that her daughter would be called blessed for all generations?

The back and forth conversation (with myself, mind you) continued until the moment I felt the answer I'd been seeking, in my soul…NO, Mary didn’t know, but she had faith in and served a God who knows ALL things. 

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MOMent of Clarity

Can I just say that there was truly a sense of peace (as a person, but especially as a mother) when I realized that even Mary was human! I don’t know why Mary’s humanity was lost on me. Maybe it's because I have always imagined her being perfect because she is the mother of our perfect Savior or her response to a major life changing event is a perfect example of obedience. In either case,  and with complete respect, the likelihood that Mary was “perfect”  is highly unlikely because (say it with me), Mary was human! Throughout Scripture God always uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things and Mary’s story is extraordinary. 

How could Mary have known that she would be chosen to carry and give birth to the Savior of the World? I’m not a Biblical scholar, but I am unable to pinpoint a time recorded (in Scripture) when the God of the Universe seeks His human creations, discloses His plans, and asks for their feedback before moving forward.

The Lord requires our obedience. After listening to the angel Gabriel’s message from the Lord that details some pretty significant and miraculous life changes to come,  Scripture tells us in Luke 1:38 Mary’s says “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’” followed by “‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” Can I just say WOW! I get thrown off if my regular route to work is delayed or when something doesn’t work out like I planned (it’s okay to laugh at the “I planned” part—I feel like we could be friends). 

While Mary and I are two different people, we do have one very important thing in common—we are both loved by God and we are both a part of His good plan. Mary is the favored mother of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and I, Allison, am the favored mother of two daughters who are also a part of His good plan. Oh, there is one more obvious connection, I don’t actually know the plan for my life, but God is good and He is faithful. 

We live in a world that has put a bow on consumerism and greed and called it Christmas. A Holy day that is meant to celebrate and give glory to the Lord in Heaven for the gift that we didn’t deserve. Afterall, the same woman (mother)  who held her sweet baby in a manger, is the same woman who would stand near the cross where he gave his life for the sins of the world (John 19:25).

But, this isn’t a sad story, it’s a story of hope, faith, obedience, and love. It’s a reminder that when we are unsure in our lives (for anything) God is faithful and we can take comfort knowing that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)! The baby in the manger lives and Jesus said “‘From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’” (Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭69).

Mary was a part of the story, but she didn’t know all of the things–she had faith in the Mighty One who does know all things and because of that we can sing with joy in our hearts, Joy to the World, the Savior Reigns!