“The angel said to
her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb
and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”
Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)
Snow falls, Christmas music plays, Starbucks is filled with
shiny red mugs, decorations glitter on streets, and friends and family gather
together.
Something dances like a tingling ball in the pit of my
stomach. (No it’s not irritable bowel)
It’s a sensation of anticipation and of yearning.
Anticipation of what?
This is the first week of advent. On Sunday, Christians around the world lit
the first advent candle. The candle of
Hope. Perhaps I’m yearning for hope in this world.
I wonder what Mary yearned for as she carried the Christ
child in her womb. Did she tingle with hope
for the future as she awaited the birth of her miracle baby?
The words from the song, “Mary Did You Know” resonate in
this season.
Take a few quiet moments
to think about this song. Let
your imagination carry you into the mind of a frightened young mother waiting
for the birth of an unknown child.
How could she have any idea of this baby’s future?
“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 delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to the
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 kissed the face of God?
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?
The sleeping child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.” (See reference for lyrics below)
These words send shivers up my spine. How could she have known?
I wonder, if she did know what was to come in her son’s life,
would she have had the courage to say, “Yes” to the angel when he told her God’s
plan?
If we knew everything we'd face in our lives would we
have the courage to carry on? Perhaps it’s
best not to know everything.
Like Mary, God prepares us for what is to come by gradually
revealing His plan for our lives. He helps us
grow and mature so we’re ready to face the challenges when they do come.
Advent is a time of anticipation, a time of waiting, a time
of hoping, a time of wondering, a time of reflection. There’s a sense of mystery in the air. Something we can’t quite completely
understand, but something we yearn for deep inside.
I pray that you find hope in this season of mysterious
yearning.
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found
favor with God. And behold, you will
conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”
Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)
Lyrics for "Mary Did You Know" taken from A-Z Lyrics - Clay Aiken Lyrics. Song originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/clayaiken/marydidyouknow.html .
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