Mary, Did You Know?
Merry Christmas!
It’s finally Christmas and we wanted to remind our pregnant clients who might be feeling scared about their unplanned pregnancy today, that you are not alone.
There is Someone who knows what it is like to walk in your shoes.
There was a woman who felt afraid and unsure, someone who didn’t know how her pregnancy would unfold. She didn't know how she would overcome this awkward situation of carrying a child without having a husband. There was a woman who wondered what miracles would have to happen for her to face the judgemental villagers in her community. There was a woman who wondered how she would support a baby all alone. There was a woman whose intended husband felt as if she had cheated on him and then blatantly lied to Him about how she conceived--he thought about abandoning her. How would she overcome shame? How could she overcome the misjudgment? How would she find support? How would she do this alone?
Jesus’s Mother, Mary, was once very young, very pregnant, and very alone. While Mary is not a god and does not have divine powers to help you in this life, she was chosen to give birth to the One who can. An angel came and told her she carried the Messiah, but he didn't tell her how she would do it in her current situation. Even though she had faith and accepted her fate, she still had to wonder how the elements in her life would have to change to make this all possible.
God chose a powerless woman without family, money, or community support to carry His only Son. We might think that that was a harsh, unfair, and unkind thing of God to ask a young girl. After all, she was uneducated and poor--why did He give her the responsibility to birth the Messiah? Couldn’t someone richer and better connected have done it? God could have asked someone else.
But He didn’t.
Why?
Because He wanted to tell you that Mary’s story could be a beacon of hope to every woman who carries a complicated pregnancy today. He wanted you to see that He can carry you through an unplanned pregnancy too.
Mary's story can give you the strength you need to overcome your unplanned pregnancy. She faced every obstacle you do now, and maybe more. But God faithfully overcame each unknown and provided her a path. He provided her an understanding husband. He provided her a quiet place to give birth that was far away from judgmental peers and neighbors. He provided her a chance to leave her community. He provided Wise Men from the East who brought her son expensive oils and gold she could exchange for money to provide for the Christ-child. Nothing was left undone.
Mary’s son, Jesus, grew up hearing her story. She told Him how she conceived supernaturally. She told Him she was forced to flee their city because the king was murdering babies trying to find Him. She told Him about how she felt in those moments. And then she told Him the miracles God presented her with so she could be safe and her baby be born.
Jesus must have felt her apprehensions and her uncertainty and her wonder as He listened. He knew what it felt like to be judged for doing nothing wrong, and He knew what it felt like to be misunderstood and alone. He knew what it felt like to be hunted. Jesus is the Someone who understands your pain because He understood what it meant for His mother to carry Him.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:18
When a woman comes to Jesus today to ask for a pregnancy miracle, He promised, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14
You might feel alone, but talking to Jesus invites Him into your problems and you are no longer alone. If you ask Him for a Miracle in His name, He will provide one.
Remember that all children belong to Jesus and He cares about them. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
Jesus has a special place in His heart for the women who carry His children. He loves you and He loves the tiny heartbeat pounding inside your womb. You can trust Him to open a door, provide a miracle, and show you the way you need to go.
Today, as you celebrate Christmas, remember that Christmas would never have existed if it were not for a common mother who faced the unknown with faith.
Below are the lyrics to Mary Did You Know, one of the most beautiful reminders that even though Mary was told her baby was the Son of God, she didn’t forsee all the marvelous things He would do and the lives He would change.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would 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 kiss the face of God
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!
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?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am
Mary, did you know?
Mary’s baby became God and gave us Christmas. Who will your baby become?