Mary Did You Know?
When I think of the Nativity story I am usually guilty of not seriously considering what actually took place with real ordinary people.
Mary was a young girl, still a teenager it is believed, from a simple village. She was engaged to a local carpenter named Joseph. An angel appeared to her and told her that she would become pregnant (even though she never had intimate relations with a man), and give birth to a special baby. All mothers think there babies are sprcial, but this One would be the Son of God. The angel even instructed her as to what He must be named. It's amazing that, not only did Mary believe this proclamation, she willingly accepted the assignment. In that era, having a child before marriage was not a socially acceptable norm as it sadly is today. She likely faced scorn and ridicule from her neighbors. Can you imagine the bewilderment and hurt Mary's finance must have felt when his bride-to-be returned obviously expecting a baby after a lengthy visit with.her cousin in another town. He knew he was not the father. According to customs of that time, Joseph would have been perfectly justified to reject Mary, subjecting her to harsh judgement. Thankfully, Joseph was a good and kind man who also had faith and an openness to the unusual miraculous ways of God. He believed the truth about the conception which he was told in a dream and took Mary to be his wife. There is no record that this newlywed couple had a luxurious honeymoon. Instead they were ordered to make a long journey in order to comply with a mandatory census.
Perhaps I am stating the obvious here but our Savior came to earth under less than optimal conditions. In that centuury no rapid or convenient mode of transportation was available. Long distance travel was challenging for everyone. It would have been especially arduous for a woman who was ready to give birth. By the time they arrived in Joseph's hometown of Bethlehem, Mary was probably already in labor. Rather than the comfort and safety of a maternity ward, the only shelter available was a stable. There were no obstetricians or midwives in attendance. In the midst of the pain of childbirth she was surrounded by smelly animals and only had the support od a nervous husband.
Did you ever wonder what might have been going through Mary's mind? During those difficult times did she question whether this was really God's good plan? Were there doubts in Mary's heart, or did she confidently trust that she was right in the center of God's will? What dreams did she have for her precious newborn son? Was Mary fully aware of His divine identity and profound destiny?
The movie The Nativity Story offers a good portrayal of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Here is a link to view an excerpt of this film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G78OdmY32IM
Also, the contemporary Christmas song Mary Did You Know? movingly describes that Jesus was not just an ordinary baby. The lyrics are below followed by a link so you may enjoy this lovely song.
I hope you enjoy it as you prepare for Christmas and, as Mary did, "ponder these things in your heart"
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've 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 the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You've kissed 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
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am
Here is a link to listen to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU_xFicSDPs
Mary was a young girl, still a teenager it is believed, from a simple village. She was engaged to a local carpenter named Joseph. An angel appeared to her and told her that she would become pregnant (even though she never had intimate relations with a man), and give birth to a special baby. All mothers think there babies are sprcial, but this One would be the Son of God. The angel even instructed her as to what He must be named. It's amazing that, not only did Mary believe this proclamation, she willingly accepted the assignment. In that era, having a child before marriage was not a socially acceptable norm as it sadly is today. She likely faced scorn and ridicule from her neighbors. Can you imagine the bewilderment and hurt Mary's finance must have felt when his bride-to-be returned obviously expecting a baby after a lengthy visit with.her cousin in another town. He knew he was not the father. According to customs of that time, Joseph would have been perfectly justified to reject Mary, subjecting her to harsh judgement. Thankfully, Joseph was a good and kind man who also had faith and an openness to the unusual miraculous ways of God. He believed the truth about the conception which he was told in a dream and took Mary to be his wife. There is no record that this newlywed couple had a luxurious honeymoon. Instead they were ordered to make a long journey in order to comply with a mandatory census.
Perhaps I am stating the obvious here but our Savior came to earth under less than optimal conditions. In that centuury no rapid or convenient mode of transportation was available. Long distance travel was challenging for everyone. It would have been especially arduous for a woman who was ready to give birth. By the time they arrived in Joseph's hometown of Bethlehem, Mary was probably already in labor. Rather than the comfort and safety of a maternity ward, the only shelter available was a stable. There were no obstetricians or midwives in attendance. In the midst of the pain of childbirth she was surrounded by smelly animals and only had the support od a nervous husband.
Did you ever wonder what might have been going through Mary's mind? During those difficult times did she question whether this was really God's good plan? Were there doubts in Mary's heart, or did she confidently trust that she was right in the center of God's will? What dreams did she have for her precious newborn son? Was Mary fully aware of His divine identity and profound destiny?
The movie The Nativity Story offers a good portrayal of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Here is a link to view an excerpt of this film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G78OdmY32IM
Also, the contemporary Christmas song Mary Did You Know? movingly describes that Jesus was not just an ordinary baby. The lyrics are below followed by a link so you may enjoy this lovely song.
I hope you enjoy it as you prepare for Christmas and, as Mary did, "ponder these things in your heart"
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've 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 the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You've kissed 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
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am
Here is a link to listen to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU_xFicSDPs
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