Of
late I have seen arguments that say, “Of course she did. The Angel
of God told her.” (Most of these comments were of male origin.
Ladies, what do you think?)
Well,
I do not have actual experience with being pregnant, but I am a woman
and I have paid very close attention to the process over the years;
vicariously, through many friends and relatives who have been
pregnant. So I am going to jump in here and say, “No, she didn't”.
So
what did Mary know?
She
knew she was a virgin.
“
How
will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
She
also knew that she was betrothed to Joseph.
“...a
virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of
David.”
She
did not know why Gabriel greeted her the way he did.
“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.”
She
was told to not be afraid because this was a message of blessing from
God that he was bringing.
“
Do
not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
So
what did he actually tell her?
“You
will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The
Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will
reign over Jacob’s descendants
forever;
his kingdom will never end.” and
“
The
Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of
God.“
Mary, in turn, said
“good-bye” with these words:
“
I
am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be
fulfilled.”
Then
the angel left her.
MARY DID YOU KNOW - Mark Lowry
[Verse 1]
Mary did
you know that your baby boy will some day 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.
[Verse 2]
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?
And when
you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
Oh
Mary did you know
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
[Verse 3]
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?
This sleeping child you're holding
is the great I AM
She
may be declared to have known, and maybe understood, the facts
of verse three; but the truth is that she didn't know exactly what
that entailed.
So
the rest: probably not. She pondered the praises and blessings and
certain other happenings, in her heart... but, no. she didn't know
what would happen or when.
And
the first thing she did not know was that they would have to flea
from the murderous Herod to save the baby's life.
Nor
did she know that He would grow up in a fairly normal way after that.
Nor did she know when He would depart to His ministry. Nor did she
know exactly what His ministry would be.
Remember
that those expecting the Messiah, were expecting a warrior who would
grab a sword and take over the whole world. And she was raising the
gentlest, wisest child ever born.
No,
she did not know or realize exactly what His life would really mean.
But she stepped right up and said yes to God, and promised to keep
this difficult calling which came from Him:
MARY'S
SONG...
46
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold,
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his
name.
50
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51
He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in
the imagination of their hearts.
52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low
degree.
53
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent
empty away.
54
He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Have
you ever noticed that most of the truly beautiful praises recorded in
God's Word come from a heart that remembers all the things that He
has already accomplished? May we also have such a heart.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS