Mary, Did You Know?
It’s a glorious song, but look, pretty much yes she knew…
In my previous job working with the Queensland Synod in a similar Young Adult focused role, I was fortunate enough to gather a very talented group of young people together to record Mary, Did You Know? and film a clip as a part of my job. It also featured in the 2017 Synod Christmas content, which was themed “This Changes Everything”.
It was a great privilege to organise and complete this mammoth task in a really short period of time…and the outcome was something pretty special. What a Christmas gift from God indeed.
The song is stunning, and the arrangement is something the singers workshopped and perfected themselves. Vaelei’s spoken word in the middle brings an edgy and deft touch. The full gifts of these young people on display, for the glory of God!
Theologically speaking (and as beautiful as the song is), it does fall short. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary was told by the angel Gabriel what was to happen (Luke 1:32-33; 35), and when she went to see her cousin Elizabeth she confirmed what the angel had told her (v42-45). Mary was to give birth to God’s son.
Mary knew what was expected of her because God spoke to her, and told her of the blessing he had given her. Mary didn’t flinch – she knew it would mean shame within her community because she was not married and still a virgin, and even trouble with her betrothed Joseph. Yet she persisted, and courageously committed herself to serving God in this special way by giving birth to and raising Jesus as her own (v38).
God calls us all still today, welcoming us to participate in God’s mission and asking us to serve God in ways that might be very costly. This Advent season, as you thank God for all you have, be challenged to ask God where you should be serving and what that might mean for your current situation.
Be open to God’s Spirit challenging you and asking you to be courageous, like Mary. What is the next step in your discipleship journey?
This year have a safe, fun, and joyous time with family and friends, knowing that God loves you so much that God came to earth in the person of Jesus and was born miraculously for the good of all.
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Molk is the Young Adult Ministry Lead and Senior Field Officer (North) within the PULSE team.
