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Mary, Did You Know?

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.¹

This modern-day Christmas classic is one of my favorite songs. If you haven’t heard it before, I encourage you to take a moment and listen to it. It is one that, as a mom myself, pulls on all my heartstrings and brings tears to my eyes as I listen. This song deepens my appreciation for the true Meaning of Christmas!

Mark Lowry was a popular Christian comedian who started his career in the late 1980’s. He was also a member of the Gaither Vocal Band. However, one of his most well-known accomplishments was being the co-writer of the lyrics to “Mary, Did You Know?”. In 1984, Lowry was asked to write a Christmas play, so as he sat down to write, he imagined Mary holding her newborn baby. He started to imagine all the things that Jesus would do as he grew. Later, these written words became a poem, then in 1991, the poem became this amazing song.

Lowry said that he, “started thinking and wondering if Mary realized the power, authority, and majesty that she cradled in her arms that first Christmas.” It is no doubt that Mary knew Jesus was a special baby. His birth had been announced by the Angel Gabriel and she knew that God was his Father, but I don’t think she could have imagined the extent to which this baby would change the world. It may be easy for us to read about all of Jesus’ miracles and feel some wonder, but if you put yourself in Mary’s shoes like the song encourages you to do, it is amazing as you imagine the great joy she must have felt seeing her Son – God’s only Son – grow to do all the incredible works his Father had sent him to do. It is also heartbreaking imagining Mary’s pain as she watched her son be beaten and crucified for the Salvation of mankind.

God entrusted His only Son, Jesus, to Mary, and she believed the angel’s words and submitted herself to God’s will. Let us choose to be like Mary this Christmas and imitate her response to God’s will in our lives: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus, who came to give hope and Salvation to an undeserving world. Help me by like Mary and accept your will in my life, even when it may bring moments of pain. Help me trust that you are working all things for my good, and you have a purpose in every circumstance. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

1. Luke 1:38.

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.