Mary, did you know

Mary, What Did You Know?

This time of year leads a lot of people to focus on Christ’s birth. We think about the humble beginnings of His life. Born in the lowly town of Bethlehem. Born in a manger. Visited by shepherds, angels, and eventually wise men. Born to save the world. But the story starts way earlier than the first cries in a stable. The story actually begins with a divine announcement to an unsuspecting teenage girl.

There is a popular song that plays this time of year titled, “Mary, Did You Know.” It speaks of all the things that Jesus would go through during His lifetime. Did she really know all that her little boy would do? All the sicknesses healed? All the lives changed? All the good? All the bad? We don’t really know a lot about Mary, but we do know that God had big plans for her and she submitted and stepped into the purpose and plan that He had for her.

Mary Pursued God’s Calling. Luke 1:26-38

We see Mary for the first time in Scriptures as an angel comes to Nazareth to visit. The passage states that Mary was a virgin who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. The angel informs Mary that she has been chosen to give birth to a son and to name Him, Jesus. She learns that He will reign over Israel and His Kingdom will never end.

Of course, Mary has logical questions like, “how can this physically happen?,” but she responds with complete submission and obedience. “Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’” Luke 1:38

Mary immediately committed herself to the plan God had for her knowing the hardships this would entail. She knew that submitting to this plan could cost her a lot, maybe even her life. She knew that her reputation would be on the line. She would become the topic of conversation around the village. Getting pregnant out of wedlock was punishable up to death. She was young. She was poor. She was female. And now she was pregnant. She had to become the center of town gossip. Mary presented her body as a living sacrifice.

She would face the wagging tongues of neighbors, the potential outrage of her family, the possibility of losing her fiance. This choice could have left her unmarried for life and disowned by her family.

God’s blessing on her life would lead to pain. But we don’t see Mary making out a list of pros and cons. We don’t see her asking the angel for some time to pray about this decision. We see her immediate obedience and surrender to His assignment. We see her pursuing His calling in spite of her circumstances and hardships.

Mary Praised God’s Calling. Luke 1:46-56

God was gracious to Mary in that He knew she would need someone to turn to that would understand. He provided Elizabeth. Mary traveled to stay with Elizabeth. As Mary entered into the home, the baby inside of Elizabeth leaped within her. Elizabeth encouraged Mary and praised her for her belief.

Mary broke into a song of praise! This passage is often called the Magnificent. It echoes Hannah’s song in the Old Testament when God had provided a son for a barren woman. Mary acknowledges her lowly state and praises God for recognizing her and choosing her for this task. She knew her low position and she knew her own personal need for a Savior. 

She glorified God in this song for what He had done for her personally and then for what He was going to do prophetically. She was magnifying God in her life, with her entire being. She praised God for choosing to work through her. She knew that this task would impact future generations and she was amazed that God had chosen her.

Mary Pondered God’s Calling. Luke 2:19

Thankfully Joseph also saw an angel and agreed to remain engaged to Mary despite the circumstances. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for the census. There in a lowly stable, Mary birthed the Christ-child. Shepherds and angels arrived at the birth. The shepherds told Mary and Joseph about all they had experienced with the angel and the star. They told them about how this child would be the Savior, the Messiah, Christ the Lord.

“All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. “

Many versions say that Mary pondered or treasured these things in her heart. Mary had a lot to reflect on. She needed to allow all this information to soak in for her to understand. Gabriel had told her that her Son would reign forever, but now these shepherds were stating that He was the Savior, Christ the Lord! What was God doing? What would this baby actually become? Mary turned these things over and over again in her mind. There were so many unknowns, so many things yet to be seen, but Mary was determined to remember every detail.

Mary Persevered in God’s Calling. Luke 2:35, John 19:25-27

Mary’s calling would provide amazing blessings, but her calling would also provide much sorrow. Just a few days into her role as mother, Mary began to learn of the blessings and sorrows she would face. While at the temple for Jesus’ circumcision, a devout man of the faith, Simeon, prophesied of Jesus. He told Mary, “As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” There would be no middle ground with Jesus. People would either adore HIm or despise Him. And Mary would be with Him to the end. She would witness the amazing healings and miracles, but she would witness the deep sorrow and rejection. She would follow Him throughout His
ministry, all the way to the cross. She was there as He said His last phrases, just as she had surely been there when He said His first words. The baby she had held in her arms, was now being held on a cross. Oh, what agony she must have felt for her son. However, she was there. She had not fled like many of the others. She was with Him through the end. A mother’s love that persevered in God’s calling.

Mary became the topic of conversation.

Mary became the center of town gossip.

Sure, maybe some changed their minds about her when Joseph decided to continue with
the marriage….but not all of them.

Some may have stopped talking when they saw the beautiful baby who seemed “different”
maybe even ”divine”…..but not all of them.

Maybe at the turning of water into wine…..but not all of them.

Maybe when He gave the Sermon on the Mount….but not all of them.

Maybe at His crucifixion….but not all of them.

Maybe at His resurrection….but not all of them.

Maybe at her death…but not all of them.

For some people their opinion of Mary was never the same. But….Mary wasn’t deterred.
Mary had a front row seat for God’s divine plan and she didn’t let “them” keep her from Him.

Written by Amy Carrico
Author of Making the Moments Matter Blog

Last Updated on December 25, 2023