Lesson 104: Mary Did You Know? Christmas Lesson

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

Mary, did you know? I simply adore that song. I simply adore that question. The first time that I ever heard it, I was in attendance at a service in a grand church known as the Living Waters. A shy timid lady came forward during the Christmas program and offered the most beautiful rendition of the song that I have ever heard. While sitting there with tears streaming down my face, I began to ponder on the question. Did she know? I mean did she really understand the significance of the blessed event that was unfolding? For she was human but found favor in the eyes of God. The world would have judged her very harshly had it not been for the love of Joseph and God’s favor upon her shoulders. By faith Joseph accepted the truth that Mary was with child and that it was God’s child. Imagine, the Creator of heaven and earth sent His only begotten Son!

The song reminded me of faith. In Genesis, the Bible states five amazing words; “In the beginning God created.” He simply spoke the universe into existence. And sometimes when I think of the universe and eternity, I try to imagine what is beyond the farthest star. Is there a gigantic brick wall, and if that be the case, what, pray tell is behind that wall. No, I have faith, I believe, and I KNOW that eternity never ends; just like space. God created. Now, if this awesome God created the heavens and earth and “man in OUR image, after OUR likeness” then why could He not breathed into existence the Son of God into the body of a blessed woman. Joseph knew. He was told in a dream: “…behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Elizabeth knew, for when she saw Mary, she exclaimed how blessed she was among women.

Mary knew. She had her doubts even when the angels told her! In Luke 1:28-42 the Bible says, “28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

In Luke 2:1-19 the Christmas story unfolds to the truth and acknowledges Mary being keenly aware that HER Saviour was within her. “1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Yes, Mary knew and realized that her precious son was the gift of love offered not only to her but for her and the world. Mary, a virgin, knew that her son would be given up and nailed to that tree for the salvation of others. She saw the wonders of the Bethlehem, when the shepherds came, the wise men came and the wonder of the star shining down upon Christ in a manger. She saw her child, the Christ fulfill the prophecy of old and knew the significance of the 1st Christmas scene. Mary knew “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” Thank you Mary for finding favor in the eyes of God. May we also seek His favor. May God richly bless you as you ponder the true meaning of CHRISTmas. Merry Christmas from the old general.