Mary Did You Know?

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38 In the 6 th month, God sent the Angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. “Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

“He will be great and will be called Son of The Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, ”The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the Spirit of The Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born, will be called the Son of God.”

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her 6 th month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the servant of Lord,” Mary answered. “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”

CAN YOU IMAGINE? Can you imagine being a 14 year, old girl and having this experience?

“Why, God? Why would you choose me? Whom should I tell? I must tell my parents. They are going to have a hard time believing me! Oh Dear Lord! How will I tell Joseph?”

With tears and apprehension, she did tell her parents and Joseph. Trembling she sat quietly as Joseph chided her.

“Mary! How could you? You are out of your mind! You expect me to believe this nonsense?” “I’ll have to divorce you quietly, so there is no scandal. More than likely, you’ll have to move your entire family!”

“I would not lie about such a thing, Joseph.” “If God says it, I believe it. He will reveal the truth to you…… somehow.”

Matthew 1:20-25 But after he had considered this, an angel of The Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife., because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel,”- which means, ”God with us.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of The Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name, Jesus.

“Mary, my sweet Mary! Can you ever forgive me? We will marry as soon as possible.” “I will take care of you and our child….GOD’S CHILD!” “We don’t understand all of this right now, but God has a plan.”

IN FAITH… they accepted God’s will. How would any of us feel, if we were chosen to participate in such a plan?

Had Mary realized all that her son would do in the future, she would have been paralyzed with fear and awe.

The lyrics of the song, Mary Did You Know? says it all.

MARY DID YOU KNOW: sung by Pentatonix

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 us 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 will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.

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 would one day rule the nations?
Did you know, that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?
The sleeping child your holding is ..THE GREAT I AM!

In closing, I will say The Magnificat. It is a Catholic Prayer that gives the words of Mary, as she accepts God’s will.

THE MAGNIFICAT
My soul doth magnify The Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Because He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done great things for me and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation to generation; to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might with His arm.

He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat and exulted the lowly.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent away empty.
He hath received Israel His servant being mindful of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers; Abraham and His seed.

Blessings for this Christmas Season; Thank you Mary….FOR SAYING YES.

Sue Cutler
Fearless Faith