MARY DID YOU KNOW?

 Mary, did you know?

Mary (mother of Jesus), you have heard the word of God tell you the news and confided in your cousin Elizabeth who also was with child. Mary's child was a tiny cell a small foetus. Women won't have had the technology, skill and knowledge we have today.

Mary relied on the confidence of Elizabeth, first to tell her the news that she had been chosen by God to carry his child. Secondly Mary may certainly have relied on Elizabeths experience as she was further on in her pregnancy than Mary; There weren't any self-help manuals around back then. It was far too risky for her and Joseph to reveal the truth. Can you imagine if Social services were around back then, the scandal and protocols that would have been implemented.

God made the impossible possible, through the baroness of Elizabeth and the miracle through Marys conception, two humble woman of God. Of all the women, God showed his favour and trust in Mary, and Elizabeth acting as Mary's mentor. Mary would seem to be the least favourable due to her background; BUT God saw differently, greater than any expert of the day and even now.

"Mary spoke these words "I am the Lord’s servant, just as you said."

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? What a privilege, responsibility and trepidation to fall on a young unmarried girls’ shoulders. I believe that through Mary's song, women in particularly grasp the real maternal instincts to Mary plight, even us unmarried or childless women sense it. Marys song in my view is the closest we can be to Mary's plight. I'm thankful to Mary for honouring God, as well as Joseph and Elizabeth. The Spirit of the Lord was upon them all, from receiving the news right through to the saviour’s birth.

"HALLELUJAH, WONDERFUL PRINCE OF PEACE."

Mary, though greatly troubled with potential fear and anxiety rejoiced for the precious gift growing within her. Joseph also trusted and he did the will of God as instructed through the visitation of the angel. He had to as we say 'step up' follow Gods every instruction, including looking after Mary's welfare, especially when the time came for them to travel to Bethlehem. In their heart they possibly were a little uncertain to what lay ahead of them, But we fully put our trust in God, as is evident throughout the Scriptures. God knew the plans that lay ahead for them. In the same way God also knows the plans he has for each of us, but not as it was for Mary and Joseph at the time. What would happen if God gave us all the same plans and directions?

These two young people went on a journey to Bethlehem - How must that journey have felt; It certainly makes you think how we respond on a long journey. Would they have spoken together on the way, Mary no doubt would have been exhausted, wanting to rest but egar to keep going especially through the chill and darkness of night. Joseph followed the star probably having to keep his wits about him, especially from any potentially dangers faced. Also the worry when they got where would they stay.

In the face of the unexpected, Mary faced it with 'HOPE'. Hope that the Lord’s promise would be fulfilled, Hope that God would give them travelling mercy's, Hope that God would fulfil there every need, Hope that the child within her would be safely delivered, hope that Joseph would be with her throughout and there-after. Hope as we know it as - an optimistic feeling or belief in positive future outcomes, a desire for something good to happen, and the expectation that it might, providing motivation to persevere through difficulties and a sense of possibility for better things. It serves as a driving force, offering strength, a positive outlook, and the belief that challenges can be overcome and dreams achieved. *Yet Biblical Hope is not based on circumstances, but on the changing character of God*. 

 A story so bitter yet so sweet.

Upon their arrival we know that a census was taking place, every room and every inch of floor space was taken. Growing tired they knocked and were turned away. But Hope remained, and it came from the kindness of an inn keeper.  Telling them that the only place he had available was a stable round the back. Imagine by now you're tired, hungry and cold. Mary must have known the birth of her child was imminent, and they kindly took up the offer of a borrowed stable. Here not long after the saviour of the world was born (no pain relief), 'Light of the world has come, He came just as God had promised. Phew, that definitely would deserve a cup of tea. Instead God sent the humble and wisest of visitors to see this miracle child. If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb or today a crocheted blanket, if I were a Wise men I would serve my part just as the Wiseman did at the time.

A real-life story of its day, a story so bitter yet so sweet. A story many accept and many still deny. Even in the upside-down reality of this story, as many might perceive it today. May each see the true nature of this story how it happened with a new clear fresh understanding.

There indeed there will be upheaval in the world. But in the Scriptures, it tells us in John 10:10; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. May we find the real joy, hope and peace this Christmas season. As Mary and Elizabeth sang, may this also be our song this Christmas time and beyond.

 "Praise the Lord o' my soul let all that is within me bless his Holy name."

There was a challenge given in our home group this week from the sermon on Sunday. To write or pray our own 'Magnificent', what will you praise God for. Obviously here I haven't quite done that. But my Magnificent came on early Sunday morning, having no sleep during the night; I decided to take my quite time on an early morning walk (I was hoping to catch the sunrise). However my intended route changed when I discovered the park opens at 7am. After a few laps round, (3 laps being a mile) the sound of the birdsong, the sky changing from darkness to light stopped me in my tracks. This made me pause, sit and reflect. The birdsong felt louder at that time than it would at any other  time of the day. The sky captured my view through the trees, darkness gave way to light (the picture is of that moment, no filters or editing). Here I sat and praised God for and in his creation. I was unaware of what the message would be a few hours later. It is not unusual on my walks I burst into, songs of prayer and praise, its impossible not to. "Mary did you know?"

 

Written by Sarah Joy Holden

👟FOOTNOTE:

asterisk* Quotes from the message by Rob Buckeridge on Sunday the 14 December 2025.

Photography by Sarah Joy Holden, Cae Glass Park, Sunday sunrise 14/12/25