Mary Did You Know? Part II

Today, let's continue our discussion of Mary, Mother of Jesus.....

The only question Mary asked of Gabriel was ' how can it be since I have never known a man?'   Mary asked the obvious question of how this would physically happen.


She willingly entered into an unexpected virgin pregnancy. Her beloved fiance, Joseph, could not believe it.   Who could blame him?!   He considered a quiet divorce, not wanting to embarrass or humiliate her. What godly character! Until, while He was asleep, the angel appeared to him, telling him to marry Mary, that she indeed was carrying the Son of God. And He did. And kept her a virgin until after she delivered, Immanuel. (Matthew 1:18-25)NASV  There was no law preventing them from having intercourse, since they were married, but if they had succumbed to temptation of a sexual relationship, it would give doubt that Mary was impregnated by God, and there would only be a virgin conception, not a virgin birth. God had His hand in every situation Mary and Joseph were in.

Think about how Mary would have to be feeling, what a roller coaster of emotions. From wedding preparations, to seeing an angel, the angel telling her that she had found great favor with God, divine conception, pregnancy and delivery of The Most High's only begotten Son, not to mention risking losing her family friends and her fiance.  Wow! And she's only just begun.


As she gives birth to her Son, whose name Jesus, has already been chosen, she was not at a local hospital delivery room, but she and Joseph were in a strange place. After months of anticipation, The Son of God makes his entry into the world.   The birth of a child is such a miracle in itself, the emotions we experience now, but knowing that this is The Son.. I can only imagine. She is spending those first moments of her Sons new life, their peace abruptly interrupted by the nearby Shepherds bursting in to see the new baby, led there by following this brilliant light.

Regardless of the divine immaculate conception and delivery of the Son of God, Mary and Joseph maintained all the ritual cleansing and sacrifices necessary to the Law. (Luke 2:21-24) Mary never expected to be treated differently, by throwing her weight around as the mother of God's Son, but regarded her love for God by doing what He said.

Mary may not have thought about the full extent of her suffering to come. Mary delighted in Gods will and placed her life into God's hands and doing what He called her to do, despite any difficulty, and even became a disciple of her Son.  What a truly Biblical example for us all!

~ Submitted by Jeni Morelock

Mary, Mother of Jesus; Unlikely Choice, Great Reward: Part I

This year I haven't given a lot of thought to Mary, Mother of Jesus. Very few details are given about Mary, with great reason. The focus was not on Mary, but on  Jesus- her beloved Son. However, there is much for us to learn from Mary; her faith, courage, and humility.

Mary was a young girl, probably between the ages of 12-14, as this was the age at which Jewish girls commonly entered into betrothal during her time. Betrothal was a period of two years. In today's age we refer to this as engagement. However, once a man became betrothed to a young lady it was a covenant, legally binding. In order to 'get out' of' this arrangement, you would have to file for divorce. During the period of betrothal, the bride and bridegroom lived apart. The time was spent by the bridegroom preparing for marriage.

For those of us who have been engaged, we know that period of our life was so exciting!  And so it was for Mary as she made her wedding plans and looked forward to marriage.  But in the matter of a moment, her life as well as everyone's in history, would be forever changed.

Mary came from a poor family, and in this era women were not held in very high regard, much less deemed worthy of being used by God.

The angel Gabriel, appeared to the young girl, and told her that she wass highly favored by God. Isn't that just remarkable? To be favored by God!

A woman that gave birth out of wedlock in Mary's time, was a disgrace, not to mention that Joseph, the man she has planned to marry, could possibly divorce her. That one moment when Gabriel appeared to her, I can only imagine what thoughts would go through my head. My thoughts would be running so frantic "But, why me? What about my family and everyone forsaking me and leaving me alone? What about my plans to..." But, Mary never did. She replied "I am the Lords servant.. May it be to me as you have said" Luke 1:38. God knew, that Mary would gladly follow His will and not question Him, she willingly submitted to God's plan.

God chose what most would have seen as an unlikely choice, thus fulfilling Scripture that God does not see as man sees but sees our hearts. Our obedience and trust.

During this season of celebration of the birth of our beloved, take a moment and ask yourself, am I willing to accept Gods plan regardless of the cost?

~ Submitted by Jeni Morelock