Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

There’s a popular Christmas song that asks the question, “Mary, did you know…?” 

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…will give sight to a blind man?  Calm a storm with His hand? Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord all creation? Did you know that your baby boy was Heaven’s perfect Lamb? And the sleeping Child you’re holding Is the Great I AM?

The song is beautiful, but it doesn’t really answer the question of what Mary actually knew.  Does the Bible tell us?  What information is given about her knowledge of God’s purpose and plan for her life and her Son’s life? Oh, Mary, what did you know?

What DID Mary know BEFORE Jesus was born?

  1. Mary knew she was a Jew, born of the tribe of Judah  (Matt 1). She knew that her name was the same as that of Moses and Aaron’s sister, Miriam (Exo 15:20).
  2. Mary knew that she was a virgin (Luke 1:27)
  3. Mary knew Joseph was not the father of the child she was carrying.  And that by Law he had every right to “put her away” (divorce, or end the betrothal). (Matt 1:19)
  4. We can assume that Mary knew Joseph loved her because he chose to divorce her privately (Matt 1:29).  She may have known that an angel appeared to Joseph and told him to take her as his wife for the child she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Mat 1:20-21).
  5. Mary knew that Joseph was also of the tribe of Judah (Matt 1) as she was. She also knew that the Messiah would be born of a descendant from that tribe. (Ps 132:11)
  6. Mary knew that her son would be a “Holy Child” and would be great and be called “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32) and “the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)  And that He would sit on the throne of David, reign over the house of Jacob (Israel), and His kingdom would have no end (Luke 1:33)
  7. Mary knew that her pregnancy was a miracle. (Luke 1:34-37)
  8. Mary knew that she was a lowly handmaid. But she was committed to the Lord and she knew she was willing to serve according to God’s will (Luke 1:38).
  9. Mary knew that the Lord had chosen her and had given her this great honor to bring forth the Messiah (Luke 1:48-49)
  10. Mary knew that her son’s name would be Jesus (Luke 1:31) and that He would save His people from their sins (Mat 1:21)

What did Mary know AFTER Jesus was born?

Mary knew her child, born of a miraculous conception, was special.  

  1. The shepherds came to see the Child after having been told by an angel (Luke 2:11-12).
  2. Wise men came from the East seeking to see the One, born King of the Jews. (Matt 2:2ff)  They came and worshipped Him and gave Him precious gifts of great value (Mat 2:11).
  3. Mary knew that devout Simeon proclaimed Jesus to be the salvation from the Lord, a light to the  Gentiles, and the glory of Israel (Luke 2:30). She knew that her child would be destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and would be a sign that would be spoken against.  (Luke 2:34)
  4. Mary also knew that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed. But a sword would pierce her own soul. (Luke 2:35)
  5. Mary knew that Anna, the praying prophetess in the Temple, spoke of her child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

Lessons to be Learned from Mary

  1. Be humble and present yourself to God, to be used by Him. Mary considered herself a handmaid/servant of the Lord. We should not think highly of ourselves, but rather humble ourselves before God (James 4:10, 1 Pet 5:60. 
  2. Be willing to be used by God.  Mary willingly yielded herself to God. She was surrendered to do His will  (James 4:7). We must “die to self” to live for God. (Luke 9:23)
  3. Seek the wisdom of mature brothers and sisters in the faith. Mary turned to an elder, both in age and in the faith (her cousin Elizabeth), to find a better understanding of all that she had been told.  We should turn to brothers and sisters in Christ to help us grow in biblical understanding and faithful living. (James 3:13)
  4. Trust and obey. (1 Tim 4:10) When God reveals His truths, His will, and His ways to you, ponder them in your heart. Mary did!  (Luke 2:19) With what Mary DID know and with what she did NOT know, Mary lived for God’s purposes and plan to use her to give birth to and raise His Son, our Lord Jesus.  May we now live with love for Him, in His service, for His glory, for our good, and with love may we glorify God by loving and serving our neighbors.

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Scripture from: Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John.  A Christmas message from “In the Bleak Midwinter”

Christmas-themed Videos

Have You Heard About This Baby Boy?  A most beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, with a Christmas message to touch your heart and give joy to your soul.

Cohen Hallelujah Christmas Version

 

 

 

 

 

Make Some Scripture Cookies – Fun for the Whole Family!

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***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

 Hear, See, Speak No Evil -- A Practical Guide for Guarding the Mind --  This book will cause you to think before you speak, to close your eyes to that which you should not behold, and to stop listening to the lies of the world and the evil one.  Learn to guard your gates and process everything according to God’s perfect will and by His Word. The three little monkeys, Hear, See, and Speak No Evil, can teach us a lot. And there’s a fourth monkey that can help stop the spread of ungodly thinking and living in our world.

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023 

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  4. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
  7. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  8. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  9. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  10. Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  3. Prayers from Billy Graham
  4. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  5. “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  6. Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
  7. Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
  10. Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

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TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  6. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  9. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share 
  10. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)

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