Mary Did You Know?

     The other day I was talking with the kids and the subject of their births came up.  Out came the unique stories that made each birth special. One child was a surprisingly BIG baby. One of our babies came out sunny side up (which is indicative of his behavior). One birth was a very fast.  One was the most peaceful birth experience.  They have heard these stories over and over.  However, some details have been blurred over the years.  Am I the only one?  One question was "What day of the week was I born on?   In the lineup of four children there are a few details that have become mixed up.

     I have spent a lot of time thinking about Mary this Christmas.  We sang the beautiful song, "Mary Did You Know?" this Sunday and a whole new layer of thoughts began.  The scriptures tell us, regarding Jesus' birth, she "pondered all these things and treasured each memory in her heart." Really?  That has to be one of the great understatements of all times.  Here is a woman who had to have been accused of being a slut.  No one would really believe that story.  And for good reason...who was expecting a baby to come as the Savior of the world (although there were prophecies).  They were under the Roman rule and forced to travel in order to take a census to decide how much they would pay the Roman government in taxes.  They lived in daily fear of what could happen to them a the hand of Roman soldiers.  They were all looking for and expecting a Man to become the King,  And yet here was Mary with a baby.  She had to have played the supernatural experiences over and over and over in her mind.  The way the angel showed up to her and first spoke of Jesus.  The announcement of Elizabeth's pregnancy and then Mary's arrival at Elizabeth's home and the greeting she received there.  How Elizabeth knew just what was going on! Amazing!  That had to be the Lord. And then Joseph was visited by the angel Gabriel as well...and Zachariah.  How could this NOT be God? And after the trauma of traveling so very pregnant and going into labor, the Lord graciously sent the shepherds with that amazing announcement of seeing the heavenly host proclaiming the birth of the Savior.  They showed up in the stable!  It just could not seem clearer. Regardless of what the world said she was holding the Savior in her arms.

     Could she have known what that meant? What could it have felt like to know that you were swaddling your Deliverer?  Did she understand the prophecies of old and could she believe that this baby that she was holding would fulfill them?  Don't you know she pursued the prophecies with a whole new passion to try and understand what they said about Jesus. Her ears had to perk up anytime someone mentioned what the scriptures said about the Savior.  These were puzzle pieces, when they were put together,  that made the picture of her Son's destiny.

      Did she feel pressure to do an extra good job raising this child?  Kings were raised to be kings. They were shaped and molded and taught all they needed to know about politics and government.  They had the best of educations and knew more than most people.  Joseph and Mary had absolutely no way to provide these privileges.  Not only could they not teach him these things but they could have anyone else do it either.  He received the same education that boys of his social standing and background received.  Only he did seem to shine out among them in his education.  Was it enough? Could they or should they do more?  Jesus wasn't their only child.  He grew up with brothers and sisters.  Should he be treated differently?  I mean He IS the Son of God!

     Fast forward 30ish years.  As the years passed, how clear did all of these details remain? As Jesus began His ministry on this earth did she remember what was said to her and to those around her.  How many times did she push rewind? What I am wondering is this: When she was watching Jesus on that cross what was she thinking?  Were these amazing details surrounding His birth get blurred by the tears?  Could she even recall what the angel Gabriel looked like?  Did she remember the shepherds and their amazing story.  Where was John now?  Where was Joseph?  Elizabeth and Zachariah?  Not one of those who walked with her in the beginning was left to watch this horrific death.  Did she blame herself for dropping the ball?  Did they fail to do all they should have done?  Was the mission was aborted?

     I wish I could have been there with her when she first realized 3 days later that it was not as it all seemed.  He had risen, her baby boy really had "come to make us new." Only the details looked very different than what they had all assumed.  I bet it was in this place that the memories came rolling back.  I think she was, for a time, transported in her thoughts back to his birth.  All of those words spoken about Him came back AND THEY MADE SENSE.  Don't you know she began to see the puzzle in its completion for the first time!

     Isn't it awesome that we get to see the puzzle as well.  As we soak in the story of His birth we get to see it from the perspective of the empty tomb back to the stable!  There isn't a greater privilege! And doesn't the stable look beautiful from our view!