Mary, Did You Know?

By Deborah McCarragher –

As Christmas approaches I began thinking more about His mother Mary, and what she might have been thinking as she awaited the birth of her firstborn Son.

Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem because of the census that Caesar Augustus had decreed. The lush fields and meadows surrounding Bethlehem, or as it is known in Hebrew as, “House of Bread”, is where Ruth, Jesse and David lived, overlooking the rich farmlands as sheep grazed on the hillside. This is the birth place of the Christ child, who would later boldly declare, “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35; 51). This is also where the shepherds received a message from an angel of the Lord, and were to seek out the newly born King. The Lamb of God Himself was born in a stable a short distance from where flocks of sheep were bedded down for the night.  Everyone marveled as they shared what the angel had said to them.  Scripture tells us that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

The following is the first stanza of the song, “Mary, did you know?” by Mark Lowry:

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know, that your baby boy was come to make you new;
That this child that you delivered, would soon deliver you?
Oh Mary, did you know?

After His birth I imagine Mary lovingly looked down at him and whispered, “Welcome to the world, my Son. Be at peace. Your dad and I are here – and always will be. We love You so much!” She vividly recalled the moment when an angel of the Lord visited her with the announcement, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” She no doubt shook her head as she remembered him saying, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.” What a journey it had been! She had surely seen the Lord God move in miraculous ways since that first greeting by Gabriel.

Sometime after they circumcised their infant son, Mary and Joseph journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him as the law required. They were unexpectedly met by a holy, devout prophet named Simeon. Being moved by the Spirit, he took the child into his arms and blessed God saying, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” She and Joseph were taken aback and marveled at his words (Luke 2:21-33).

Mary no doubt remembered how Joseph lovingly brought Jesus as a boy into his carpentry shop as soon as he was able to follow simple instructions. He had built him a small bench and gave him his own set of tools to use. She smiled as she recalled the days he spent building little tables and stools. Then, when he turned twelve – Joseph make him a full apprentice in the shop. What a proud day that was in their household! Ever since the incident in Jerusalem, Jesus had been humble and submitted to them in Nazareth – gaining wisdom, stature & favor with men and with God. (Luke 2:51-52)

Like most of us, she likely had someone approach her over the years about her famous Son, perhaps relaying a specific event, memory or milestone, saying, “Mary, did you know…?”

Deborah began her journey of creative writing soon after coming to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in 1989. She uses her spiritual gifts of encouragement and teaching in her home church. Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book for women titled “Mission Possible”. She and her husband have one married son serving in the US Military, and they reside in north Florida. http://www.godmissionpossible.com/.