All You Want for ChristmasSample

Mary, Did You Know?

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” - Luke 1:32a

Think

My first son was born a month before Christmas. The song “Mary, Did You Know?” became alive for me during that year and was felt deep into my bones as I held my baby boy close, dreaming of who he’d be someday. Two years later, I was pregnant with my second son over Christmas, and yet again, this song rang true to my emotions of motherhood, expectation, and hope of a new life.

I’ve imagined how Mary felt, knowing she was carrying and would birth the Son of God, raising Him to learn many things I teach my sons - respect, kindness, compassion, and love for others. And yet, Mary’s baby was the Son of God, the Son of the Most High. I admire the monumental task and responsibility Mary willingly accepted to raise Jesus. She responded to the angel Gabriel after hearing that she had been chosen as Jesus’ mother by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant…may your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38). She basically says, “Yup, let’s do this.”

I imagine she experienced the feelings any new parent does as they anticipate the hope of new life. I don’t know if Mary knew the extent of who Jesus would be or the lasting impact He would have on our world, just as we can’t predict the paths our own children will take.

Apply

We have hopes and expectations for our lives, and if we could catch a glimpse of our future, our faith in an omniscient God would be non-existent. We would only rely on ourselves. When the angel Gabriel shared that Mary would have a son called Jesus, she chose to trust in a God who knew the bigger story. A God who sent His own Son - a Wonderful Counselor, a Prince of Peace - to save our world and our people from sin. Whether Mary knew these things or not, she chose to trust God while experiencing the incredible privilege of raising and knowing Jesus.

Pray

God, thank you for giving me Jesus to be my Lord, the one who will rule the nations, heaven’s perfect Lamb, and the Great I Am. Allow me to meditate on who you are and how you love me by sending your Son. Amen.

Author - Katie Beiler serves as the Children’s Ministry Director at Grace Point Church in Paradise, PA. You can find her traveling, reading, or spending time outside in her free time.