Day 32 - Mary, Did You Know?

We have moved through the year quite well and have now entered into the season of Advent with Christmas heading in our direction. The word that crops up at this time of year is Hope. A feeling of expectation and a desire for a particular thing to happen is really the meaning of the word.

Warren W. Wiersbe, the writer, comments, “No matter what is going on in our life we have a God that loves us and that should give us all hope. Hope is not the absence of pain, but the presence of God in the midst of it. Hope is the anchor of our souls; the steadfast trust that God will fulfil His promises. Hope gives us the encouragement to hang in there and rest on these promises.”

I am reminded of the words of hymnwriter Edward Mote:

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Music helps to lift our spirits especially at this time of year, and carols and Christmas music in our neck of the woods has been playing in the shops for a wee while now and we find ourselves shopping and humming along with the music coming through the Tannoy system. One of my favourite carols is a newer one, Mary, Did You Know?. This is a modern Christmas classic that digs into the profound emotions and reflections surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was written by Mark Lowry in 1984 with music by Buddy Greene. This song offers a contemplative look at the events of the nativity through a series of poignant questions posed to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The lyrics explore the miracles and significant events in Jesus’ life, from walking on water to giving sight to the blind. Each question serves as a reminder of the divine nature of Jesus and the monumental impact he would have on the world.

The recurring line, “Mary, did you know?” invites us as listeners to ponder the depth of Mary’s understanding and the weight of the role she had as the mother of the Saviour of the world. Over the years the song has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, each bringing their unique interpretation to its deeply spiritual message. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the divine and the human, offering a fresh perspective on a story that has been told for centuries.

In essence, Mary, Did You Know? is a heartfelt exploration of faith, prophecy, and a mother’s boundless love for her child.

Whilst gathering material together for this Light-Life series, the following scripture came to mind from Romans 15:13 -

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Keep trusting, keep praising for there is hope.

Tom Bonnar