Every year, December rolls around and we start hearing Christmas songs on the radio, in stores, and in the hallways at school, and every year there are a few songs that stop me in my tracks and remind my soul that the creator of the cosmos shed his glory and honor, gave up his throne, and became an infant. Until this year, "Mary, did you know?" had been one of those songs.
But after years and years of listening to dozens of versions of that song sung by dozens of artists in dozens of stores on dozens of radio stations, the question that the song repeatedly asks finally raised my eyebrows. Why do we sing a song asking if Mary knew things that scripture states that she knew? Why don't we believe that she knew what she claimed to know?
As hard as I looked, I never found a verse in the Bible that said that Mary did not understand what was happening and felt confused and thought her baby boy was normal. Rather, Luke tells us that Mary marveled and treasured up moments and memories in her heart and believed what the angel said to her.
And this God's arrival through a woman affirms to me that God sees women and values women and includes women in his story. In a current age when women can sometimes be doubted and questioned and the misogony of the past seems to have not faded away as much as I thought it had, it is good to know that God has chosen women and listened to women and championed women from the start. Even over 2000 years ago, he draws women into his story, he reveals himself to women, and he entrusts women with good news to share.
But after years and years of listening to dozens of versions of that song sung by dozens of artists in dozens of stores on dozens of radio stations, the question that the song repeatedly asks finally raised my eyebrows. Why do we sing a song asking if Mary knew things that scripture states that she knew? Why don't we believe that she knew what she claimed to know?
As hard as I looked, I never found a verse in the Bible that said that Mary did not understand what was happening and felt confused and thought her baby boy was normal. Rather, Luke tells us that Mary marveled and treasured up moments and memories in her heart and believed what the angel said to her.
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)Mary was a pregnant virgin, and we wonder if she knew that her baby boy was special. Angels announced her pregnancy. God made flesh grew up in Mary's house. Mary taught the Lord of all creation how to walk. I think it is safe to say that she knew.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:41-45)It is hard for me to read veres 38 and 45 of the first chapter of Luke and continue to wonder if Mary knew the significance of the child in her womb. If she accepted what the angel told her and believed it would be fulfilled, then Mary knew that her baby boy would save our sons and daughters. Mary knew that her baby boy is the Lord of all creation and would one day rule the nations. In fact, chapters one and two of the book of Luke tell us what exactly Mary knew:
- She knew that her baby boy was the Son of the Most High. (Luke 1:32)
- She knew that her baby boy would rule forever. (Luke 1:32-33)
- She knew that her baby boy was the long awaited Messiah. (Luke 1:32-33)
- She knew that her baby boy was the fulfillment of God's promises made to his children generations ago. (Luke 1:32-33, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Psalm 89:35-36)
- She knew that her baby boy was holy. (Luke 1:35)
- She knew that her baby boy was the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
- She knew that her baby boy was the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. (Luke 1:55-56)
- She knew that her baby boy was great joy for all people. (Luke 2:9-19)
- She knew that her baby boy was the Savior. (Luke 2:9-19)
- She knew that her baby boy was Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:9-19)
- She knew that her baby boy was God's salvation for all people. (Luke 2:29-33)
- She knew that her baby boy would face great opposition. (Luke 2:33-35)
- She knew that her baby boy would turn society upside down and reveal the hearts of many people. (Luke 2:33-35)
- She knew that her baby boy would grow up and that she would face sorrow and grief. (Luke 2:33-35)
And this God's arrival through a woman affirms to me that God sees women and values women and includes women in his story. In a current age when women can sometimes be doubted and questioned and the misogony of the past seems to have not faded away as much as I thought it had, it is good to know that God has chosen women and listened to women and championed women from the start. Even over 2000 years ago, he draws women into his story, he reveals himself to women, and he entrusts women with good news to share.
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