Everyone knows someone who is pregnant. Some of those are pregnant for the first time. When that is the case, ALL things are new – from feelings/emotions, to side effects, to cravings, to body changes. Often, these catch the mom-to-be so off guard that she has to share with everyone these new phenomena. Occasionally, the new thing is so strange that she cannot put words to it to share, or she doesn’t share because she doesn’t want people to think she is going crazy!
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was told BY AN ANGEL (not by a pregnancy test, or a doctor) that she was pregnant, with the SON OF GOD! So not only did she experience all the new mom things…but she had the added unknown of what THAT would look like! There is a song called Mary Did You Know? This song suggests thoughts that she had no idea what they meant at the time: Did you know your baby boy would one day walk on water? Did you know He would save our sons and daughters? Did you know He is Lord of all creation? That He will one day rule the nations? That He is heaven’s perfect Lamb? That “the sleeping child you’re holding, is the GREAT “I AM”!
In Mary’s day and age, governance for being pregnant before marriage was brutal. Your husband-to-be, or your family, had the right to kill you, or “put you away”. You were on your own. And the community would not come to your aid.
Mary had never “known” a man – you know – the typical way that one gets pregnant. This immaculate conception was a tremendous miracle but also meant less practical knowledge by Mary as to how this might go.
After the angel pronounced to Mary her future, Mary, asked one question: “How can this be?” The angel told her that the Lord Himself would come upon her. That was all the info she needed!! Her response? “Mary said, ‘Behold the servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:38)
In a different way than Mary, yet also similarly, we carry Jesus inside of us. We won’t always know the hardships or the joys coming our way, but what an example she led for each of us! When we realize the magnificence of God and the love that He has for us as individuals and as members of His family, we TRUST Him. We are willing to be part of His grand plan, whatever that looks like!
As we carry Jesus to others, let the JOY of that privilege, and our TRUST in Him, give us the STRENGTH for the task.
To view the lyrics and hear the song Mary Did You Know? Click the link: https://youtu.be/JPsgIhlYQmM?si=cAVvyg3J2TO6wFAp
