Mark Lowry wrote one of my favorite Christmas carols called, Mary, Did You Know? However, I love Pentatonix’s version of this song. This year as I prepare my heart for Christmas, I can’t quit thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her living in a day and age where women had no value. However, God demonstrated his value for women by asking Mary, a virgin with a humble estate to give birth to the Messiah.
Scholars estimate that Mary was between the ages of twelve and fourteen when the Holy Spirit came upon her, and she conceived Jesus. She was a young girl engaged to a man, and their lives were about to be changed forever. However, I’m sure Mary had many friends before she became engaged. And I’m sure they had their questions, especially if Mary was their best friend. I’m sharing this story through the lens of Mary’s best friend.
Mary, Did You Know?
I saw her at the marketplace. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, I mean ever since the incident. My mother told me about what she called Mary’s foolishness. I wanted to reach out to her, but my mother wouldn’t let me. She said I should not place myself in company with a girl like her. Bad company breeds bad morals. I wanted to hear her side of the story. After all, she was my friend. Aren’t friends supposed to tell one another everything? But she didn’t tell me anything. I was just as shocked as everyone else. I wondered if the rumors were true, but I didn’t dare to go against my mother’s wishes. If I could have asked her anything I would have asked, “Mary, Did You Know Your Life was About to Change?
Small Town Gossip
We live in a small town. Nazareth is a place where stories run rampant. Everyone knows everything about everybody. It doesn’t take long for a story to make its rounds. People believe what they want to accept as truth and make up the rest when they don’t know the truth. I’ve seen it happen plenty of times. However, this time was different because the story was about my friend, Mary.
Mary the Kind and Gentle Hearted
I always thought Mary was a sweet and generous girl. She was kind and always wanted to do the right thing. She never thought of herself as more than anyone else like my other friends. Mary was different. She was always going out of her way to help others. One time when I wasn’t feeling well, Mary carried my basket and her basket all the way to my house. She lived on the opposite side of town, and it was very far from where I lived. I told her I would be fine, but she insisted. I said to her, “Mary, did you know you are my best friend? She smiled and took my basket, grabbed my hand and gave it a little squeeze.
The Rejection
As I watched her across the marketplace, I saw them whispering, pointing and looking at her. I saw a man refuse to sell her grapes and tell her to move on. My face became flushed with anger. How could they treat her that way? She picked up her basket and walked away. I knew they were whispering about her. She knew they were whispering about her too, but she never let them know how cutting their words were to her soul. She went on about her business like they weren’t even there. They had labeled her, not knowing if what they heard was true or not. I wanted to go over and grab her hand, hug her and ask her; Mary Did You Know the awful things people were saying about you? However, I didn’t because I was afraid.
Mary’s Faith
Mary was truly devoted to God. She talked about her faith in God all the time. Any time we were together, Mary would speak of God’s goodness to her and our people. Whenever I was discouraged, she would tell me to pray and seek my answers from God. Mary would encourage me to listen and learn all I could from the rabbi’s teaching about the prophecy of the coming Messiah. She told me the Messiah would change everything. Everything HAD changed, and I wanted to ask her, Mary, Did You Know God’s plan for your life all along?
Mary, My Friend
I could see that she was tired. It looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. I wanted to yell her name and say Mary don’t let those people define your worth. Remember, what you shared with me about how much God loves you? You are so much more than how these people or your circumstances define you, and God loves you more than you can imagine. I should have encouraged her like she encouraged me. Why didn’t I say, Mary do you know how much I love you, my friend?
Mary’s Joseph
My mind went immediately to Joseph and her. Mary was engaged to Joseph, and he was all she talked about. She told me Joseph was a kind man and a hard worker. Mary had seen his carpentry work and marveled at how his hands could make such beautiful things. She knew she could have done much worse. She could have been forced to marry someone who cared nothing about her, but it was apparent Joseph did care for Mary. I saw the way he looked at her. After all, if the rumors were true, Joseph was still standing by her side. Joseph was a godly man full of integrity and honor. Mary, Did You know how important Joseph would be in your life?
The Connection
Our eyes connected, and she smiled, but I quickly looked away. My heart sank as I thought of what I had done. I was no different from anyone else who rejected her. Mary would have never turned her back on me. I turned around, and she was walking toward me. My heart started to race. I wanted to talk to her, but I was afraid someone would see us and tell my mother. My heart was torn, but it didn’t matter as she came toward me, I ran to her with open arms. There we were in the center of the marketplace hugging one another. I looked at her face, and I saw the tears streaming down her cheeks. I said, “Mary, did you know what God was asking you to do?”
The Meeting
We only talked for a few minutes before she had to leave, but she promised she would explain everything to me one day. The only thing she told me was the prophecy was coming true. I asked her which one, but she didn’t have time to explain. We hugged again, and somehow, I knew it was going to be the last time I would see her for a long time.
Mary’s Words
Whatever the truth was, I knew it was bigger than what I could understand. As Mary walked away, I could feel the sadness welling up in my heart. Mary was very special to me. I was missing her already, and it was as if she could feel my heart. Mary looked back, and she said to me, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.”
Mary, Did You Know?
I said, “Yes, Mary you have always loved the Lord and Thank You for being my faithful friend. I’m sure Mary has been busy since she married Joseph, but I heard she was pregnant and they were on their way to Bethlehem for the census. I would love to ask her, Mary, did you know your life is about to change? Or that you would be nine months pregnant and traveling to Bethlehem on a donkey?
I can’t wait to hear the rest of her story.
We Know How the Story Ends
We know how the story ends, but the story began over two thousand years ago. Mary’s choice changed our lives in many ways. She was a young woman ready to put her life on the line for all mankind. Mary experienced the joy of giving birth to a baby boy and the sadness of watching her beloved son, Jesus, take our place on the cross. As a mother, I know the joy of giving birth, but I can't imagine seeing my child on a cross. Share on XMary experienced the joy of giving birth to a baby boy and the sadness of watching her beloved son, Jesus, take our place on a cross. Her bravery and obedience demonstrate her faith and loyalty to God. Mary is a great example for each of us to follow in our everyday lives.
What has impacted you about Mary’s life? I would love to hear your insights.
I can’t imagine being in her shoes. What a brave and devoted woman!!
Hi, Jackie!
I can’t imagine being in her shoes either. I would have been terrified to think of what was going to happen. I am so thankful she chose to be obedient. She truly is an example of faith!
How interesting. And I must admit, I didn’t realize Mary was that young!
Hi, Julie!
Yes, she was considered very young. It is hard to imagine a girl that young giving birth to the Messiah today. The world was forever changed the night Jesus was born, but Mary was changed the moment she conceived.
Absolutely love this! Mary’s story is such a beautiful one…all that she endured 💕
Hi, Clair!
Thank You! Mary does give us a beautiful story of bravery and obedience. She was a warrior for sure!
Such a lovely message
Hi, Amanda!
Thank You for your kind words!
Few of us know when our lives are about to change so monumentally. It’s only in retrospect when we see the signs, right?!
Hi, Catherine!
It is true few of us know when our lives are about to change, but Mary’s life changed all of us. I wish I could say I would be obedient, but I’m not sure.
I can’t imagine what it must have been like for both her and Joseph either. I enjoyed this message from a friend’s perspective, neat to read.
Hi, Justine!
It is a hard concept to grasp but beautifully demonstrated for us by Mary and Joseph. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Blessings to you!
Sheila,
Beautifully written! Your creativity brings us to the town square with Mary and her best friend as we watch their interaction, love, and compassion. There is so much more to this story that we’ll never know this side of heaven but our gratitude for all Mary went through, both known and unknown, in order to bring us our Savior is immense.
May God bless you with much joy this Christmas season!
I love you my friend!
Hi, Toni!
Thank You so much! A story that continues to be just as powerful 2000 years later! You are right there are parts we will never know, but I am grateful for the heart and bravery of this young unwed mother who chose to honor the Father despite her circumstances. God Bless You and much love to you! Merry CHRISTmas!
Sheila, as you know, fiction is my muse. I love what you did, taking a well known story and telling it from a completely different point of view. How very true that Mary would have had a friend or two and how accurate your description of their thoughts and feelings. I loved this. Thank you for sharing your creativity in this way. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi, Amy!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Every once in a while I have to let my creative juices flow from a different space and this was one of them. I appreciate your encouragement.
I love this point of view. It’s so inspiring!
Hi, Kimberly!
Thank You for your encouragement!
This is beautiful. How great to internalize the story of Mary in such a fresh and interesting way!
Such a beautiful story to be reminded of during the holidays, didn’t know this song
Hi, Paula!
I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Did you get to listen to the song? It moves me to tears every time! Blessings to you!
This is such a beautiful story, even if I’m not a believer I still find stories so inspiring and heart warming 🙂
This is such a beautiful story, even if I’m not a believer I still find stories so inspiring and heart warming
Mimi,
Thank You for your kind words. I’m glad my story inspired you!
How she was so willing do do whatever was asked of her, trusting God in the process. Many of us are asked far less and won’t do it, yet she took everything on faith and said yes.
Hi,Vicky!
Wow! What a word you have spoken. It is very true how we refuse to listen to God and what He desires from us. We worry about our conveniences and plans more than pleasing the Father. Mary’s faith is a shining example for all of us to follow.
I love this. Such a sweet reminder that even a young girl can be chosen to bring forth miracles for mankind.
Hi, Marta!
It is beautiful to know that God loves us all equally whether we are rich or poor, male or female, and all we need is an obedient heart.
My family was a really big fan of Mark Lowry when I was growing up (my parents loved getting his comedy albums). I can actually remember when Mary Did You Know was released when I was a little girl! Such a good song!
Hi, Reese!
Mark is funny! I remember when it was released too! I’m sure it has become one of the most favorite Christmas songs of our time.
I love this from the view of Mary’s best friend. It makes you stop and think all the more what a powerful story the Christmas story is for all of us and how each person in the story changed history simply by obeying God.
When I was writing this I couldn’t help but think about her friends and how they might have responded to her. She was so brave and obedient to God. The fact that she said yes demonstrated her love and faith in Him. Thank You for your insight!
I admire Mary’s love and faith to God that she agreed to be pregnant with Jesus. It was not easy for her for sure but she believed in God and she believed in her purpose. This is such a refreshing read!
Hi, Krizzia!
I admire her too. Can you imagine where we would be if she said “no?” She had such a profound faith and to imagine to see and feel the joy of giving birth and the sorrow of watching Him die a brutal death is unbearable.
Sheila, Thank you for this insight into more of what it must have been like for Mary.
Hi, Amy!
You are very welcome. I appreciate you on so many levels. Thank You for your encouragement!
It’s hard to imagine this story in the first person. To be a teenage mother… unwed… in that day and age. God sure had a plan and I am so thankful He came to us.!
Hi, Tiffany!
I am so glad God had a plan to take us from the pit of hell to the right-hand with Jesus. I love that God took this young humble woman and showed the world we are all equal in His eyes.
This song is such a deep and meaningful song this time of year. A great reminder of God’s plan for us and I love the way you modernized Mary’s situation. Really makes you think.
Hi, Mariah!
Thank You for your kind words. Sometimes we forget how relatable the story truly is 2000 years later. I think of the words to that song and it takes me to a place of humility for sure.
Wow! It’s neat to read the story of Mary and our Saviour’s birth as if it were being told today! It is a wonderful way to engage Christians, as well as people who aren’t Christian, with the reality of what must have been a strange and wonderful time for both Mary, Joseph, and the people who knew them.
Hi, Janene!
Thank You for your encouragement. It was my prayer to hopefully engage others that the message of 2000 years ago is still as powerful as today.
I’ve sung this song many times. I even sang it once at my cousin’s son’s funeral. We never know what God has in store for us or the great future He has set before our children.
Hi, Erin!
We do know what God has in store for us a place with no more sickness, tears or heartache. But, you are right on earth we have no idea of His plan, but we can trust and believe with our faith that God is with us. 🙂
I love that song and especially the Pentatonix version that you speak of. Thanks for the reminder and message.
Hi, Nikla!
It is a beautiful song and makes me cry everytime I hear it! Have a blessed Christmas!