Mary, Did You Know?

Do you think Mary noticed anything unusual about Baby Jesus? The Bible doesn't tell us. We don't know if there was anything unusual in His eyes, or if he had an aura about Him, or even if He cried to make His needs known. And since He was fully God and fully man, did He know everything but was like a little Savant trapped in a baby's body? Did He have to pretend to be an uncomprehending infant while all the while He knew that one day He would be crucified for our sins, die a gruesome death, and then be resurrected to show that death had been conquered and overcome for all eternity? It is all very interesting to me, wondering what that special little baby knew and understood. How I wish I could've been there.

As I was pondering Mary and little baby Jesus, my sister posted a picture of my parents holding their new great grand baby. Not only is the look on their face enough to make me cry, but the corresponding adoration on the baby's face equally liquifies me. Babies! They universally bring so much joy and wonder -- their sweet innocence, and all the promise of what might be, what could be if they are brave, and determined, and faithful.

But I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be Mary. It is hard enough raising people who aren't God. I can't imagine the pressure of raising God Himself, particularly since she knew it was not going to end well. She was warned by Simeon, the priest in the temple who blessed the new baby, that she would see things that would make her heart sad. She probably knew he didn't mean just a mountain of diapers to change...





I look at the picture of my parents holding that precious new life. We all know there will be suffering along the way, much as we wish we could prevent it. There always is. But there is victory as well. For Baby Jesus, the cross loomed, but then came the Resurrection. As Simeon told Mary, "I have seen your salvation, which you prepared before all people." He cradled a baby, but saw the promise of God nestled in his arms. I think that is on one level what we all feel when we gaze into the eyes of newborn babies.


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The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple to do what the law said they must do, Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God: “Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you prepared before all people. Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept so that the thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too.” (Luke 2:27-31, 33-35 NCV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 NIV)

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