The Songs Tell the Story: A Family Advent DevotionalSample

The Song that Makes Every Mom Cry

Holiday hymns and songs are an important part of the Christmas season.

I remember the first time I ever heard the Christmas song “Mary Did You Know?” A woman chose to sing that song during the worship service. When she finished, a lot of us were blotting tears from our eyes. The words of that song caused us to think about the Christmas story in a new way.

The words were written in 1984 by a man named Mark Lowry. He had been asked to write a Christmas play, so he sat down with pen and paper and began to imagine Mary holding her newborn baby. He thought about all the things the baby Jesus would do once he became a man. Eventually, the words became a poem and, eight years later, a song.

Every new mom holds her baby and wonders about the life her child will have when he or she is grown. Mary knew her baby was special because God was his only Father. Jesus is the only baby in all of history who didn’t have an earthly father, too. Mary knew she held a miracle in her arms, but I don’t think she could have imagined all the miracles her baby would do when he grew to be a man.

We know Jesus would one day walk on water. We know that Jesus was born to save anyone who would choose him as their Lord. That is how Jesus makes a person “new.” Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Jesus wasn’t just Mary’s baby boy. He became her Lord and Savior as well.

Do you ever wonder about the life you will have in the future?

God never has to imagine the future because he already knows the future. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you” ( Jeremiah 29:11). God said his plan was for our good, to give us hope and a future.

God had a plan for his Son’s life, and he has a plan for you. How can you know his plan?

• Pray.
• Learn God’s word.
• And walk with the leadership and power of his Holy Spirit.

When Jesus is your Lord, his Holy Spirit lives in you. He is your helper, your teacher, your counselor, and the One who will guide you to know God’s plan.

Did you know that the baby boy in Mary’s arms would one day be with you?

Jesus is everyone’s most important Christmas gift. You can be thankful for that gift today.