Mary Did You Know?

-December 24, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday, Happy Christmas Eve,

“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him” (Luke 2:33).

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, he said in Luke 1:30-33, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary sincerely asked the question to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” The angel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and power of the Highest would overshadow her. He also said in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing will be impossible.” I love her immediate answer spoken in faith, humility, and obedience, “Then Mary said, ‘Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be done to me according to your word,’ and the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. In our modern language we would say “she took all things to heart.” She knew the weight of her responsibility and accepted it willingly. But Mary, did you know? In 1991, Mark Lowry, a singer in the Gaither Vocal Band, collaborated with Buddy Green, guitarist and singer/songwriter, to write this song, “Mary Did You Know?” The song became an instant classic.

The words are so amazing and heavenly, “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 has come to make you new; This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with His hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod, and when you kiss your little baby you’ve kissed the face of God? Mary, did you know?

“The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again, the lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb! Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy was Heaven’s perfect Lamb, and the sleeping Child you’re holding is the great, the great I AM? Oh, Mary did you know?”

Wow, what a song? I quoted the whole thing since it is such a blessing. We may, like Mary, not know the future events of our lives, but we trust God, walk by faith, obey Him, and leave everything in His hands. We have today to live for the Lord and serve Him, tomorrow is in His hands. When we get to heaven we can ask Mary, did you know?

Have a blessed Christmas Eve. Let us keep what we have in Christ and His Word, and treasure them in our hearts. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean