Did Mary Know?

Copyright: 2010 singeronthesand

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother,

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising

of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken

against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

And a sword will pierce your own soul too.

Luke 2:34-35

Somewhere in Virginia today, there is a woman weeping for her child – her son.  When he lay as a babe in her arms, his innocent face held so much promise.  How could she have possibly foreseen that one day he would pick up a gun, kill another human being, and then take his own life?  The very thought would have been unbelievable.

To the best of our knowledge, Mary was only a teenager when the angel Gabriel appeared to her with the pronouncement that she would give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God.  Her acceptance of His plan was immediate and genuine, but how much could she really have comprehended of what that would entail? Did she understand that the religious authorities, those trusted with the spiritual welfare of the nation, would hate Him and dog His every step?  As she gazed into the face of her sleeping child, did she understand that his first tottering steps would inevitably lead to death on a cross?   Jesus lived at home in Nazareth until approximately his 30^th birthday.  Did He eventually share with her His destiny on earth? 

As we remember the Christ Child and His mission on earth this Christmas season, please remember to pray for all the mothers who carry the burden of concern for a child lost in the darkness of this world.  May those children see the light of the Christmas star, and realize that the baby in the manger came to bring them hope, joy, love and peace.