Read the first stanza (below) of the song, “Mary, did you know?” (Michael English), and keep in mind what Mary might have been thinking as she awaited the birth of her firstborn…

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 was come to make you new;
That this child that you delivered, would soon deliver you?
Oh Mary, did you know?

As Christmas approaches and we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I began thinking more about His mother, Mary, and what was going through her mind. Maybe it’s because I just became a first-time Grandma. My son and wife celebrated the birth of their daughter Sydney in late October of this year. Surely my daughter-in-law had many moments during her pregnancy, and after her birth while holding her, when she envisioned the days ahead for her daughter and her future.

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the shepherds had received a message from the angel of the Lord to seek out the Baby Jesus there. When they shared with the new parents and others what the angel had said, everyone marveled. However, the scripture tells us that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). No doubt many things raced through her head that day as the “buzz” over this special Child made its way into the community.

There are many examples of Moms in scripture who waited with anticipation the birth of their children who would be “chosen of God’ for a special purpose, and minister to His people Israel. Here are a few we can briefly take a look at:

Isaac (Genesis 17-21)
Sarah was the wife of Abraham and was barren. God had promised them a son after revealing to Abraham that He would, “… make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you” (Genesis 17:6). God told Abraham to name his son Isaac, and that He would establish a covenant with him and with his descendants forever. Isaac became a great leader and one of the Patriarchs of the Jewish nation. His twelve sons became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. How often did Sarah contemplate the enormity of their son’s promised future and God’s great gift to them?

Samuel (I Samuel 1-2)
Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, an Ephraimite. She was barren while the other wife, Peninnah, had children. Hannah grew increasingly frustrated & hurt by Peninnah’s insensitivity to her barrenness. Years went by and Hannah sought out God’s grace and comfort with intense prayer. After making a vow to God to relinquish her firstborn son to Him in service, she became pregnant and delivered a son named Samuel. She spent the first few years teaching him about God until he was weaned, and then delivered him to the Priest Eli for the Lord’s work. Imagine her lengthy conversations with God concerning his future…

Sampson (Judges13)
Sampson’s mother was the wife of Manoah. She was barren & had a visitation from the Angel of the Lord, who told her she would conceive and bear a son. She was warned to be careful not to let him drink wine, eat unclean things, nor let no razor come upon his head. He would take a vow to be a Nazirite unto God from the womb, and would deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. What a powerful word to receive from God concerning your child! Her husband prayed for the “Man of God” to return and teach them what they should do for the child. They later prepared an offering for Him and fell on their faces to the ground upon His acceptance of their sacrifice. Now that must have started an interesting conversation that night at dinner!

John [the Baptist] (Luke 1)
Elizabeth was the wife of Zacharias (a priest), and from the house of Aaron. She and her husband had no children and they were advanced in age. While Zecharias was serving in the temple, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced that his prayer was heard and would be answered. The angel also told him they would have a son and to name him John. During Mary’s visitation from the angel Gabriel, she was told that her relative (Elizabeth) was also with child. While Mary was visiting with her, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped with joy upon their greeting. Elizabeth exclaimed to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth knew that her baby was destined for great things, for all those who were near at the time of John’s birth talked about his future saying, “What kind of child will this be?” and “the hand of the Lord is with him.” Elizabeth surely had many days and nights filled with wonder and excitement as John grew and became strong in spirit (Luke 1:80).

Let us thank God for His indescribable gift this Christmas season! (II Corinthians 9:15). JESUS ~ Immanuel ~ God with us… PRAISE BE TO GOD!