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Mary, Did You Know?

12/19/2022

6 Comments

 
In a visit to Juneau from my home in Sitka, Alaska some 30 years ago, an acquaintance invited me to tour The Shrine of Saint Thérèse, 22 miles north of Juneau. The refuge and retreat center grounds are beautiful, located on Lynn Canal in the Inside Passage.
​
My personal tour guide asked if I’d be interested in seeing the Stations of the Cross. I’d heard of this wonderful, wooded retreat center but wasn’t familiar with the Stations. As we 
Picture
Emily Rogers
walked along the peaceful, secluded pathway, we paused at each one contemplating the last earthly hours of Jesus Christ depicted in the 15 stations. The stations are constructed with bases of beach stone and mortar (the same as the lovely chapel on the grounds) and mounted with sculptural alabaster casts. It was a deeply spiritual walk.

As we headed back to the car, I inquired about why there were so many statues of Mary throughout the grounds. He was quite surprised but polite in responding, “Well, she was Jesus’ mother….” Admittedly, I was embarrassed. Of course, I knew that she was the mother of Jesus, but realized that I’d never really given much thought to Mary before.

That same Advent season, I was moved to tears by a singer at my church accompanying herself on acoustic guitar with her rendition of, “Mary, Did You Know?” written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. And, that’s when I really began thinking about Mary in more depth. What was she like? How did she feel about being called?
​
It’s almost overwhelming to consider the deep belief and trust in God that Mary must have had to accept the angel Gabriel’s word that she would be blessed with God’s son. The lyrics in this song brought richer reflection for me. They delve into what did Mary truly understand about her newborn son.

Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

​Surely, most mothers would be considering the miracle of having just delivered a new life into the world, not that the baby would be delivering YOU into new life.
​
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

I imagine that most mothers must dream about who the child they’re carrying will become: a nurse, a teacher, a mason? A husband, a father? A kind man? A loving man? But it seems beyond reason that a mother would consider:

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?


Yet, Gabriel’s message might have led Mary through those overwhelming questions that most mothers would never think to consider. How blessed we all are that she was not overcome by the weight of those considerations! How blessed we are that her faith was so strong that she raised the Son of God. Even though she was still a girl by today’s standards, it certainly took one very special woman to accept God’s gift and to raise His son.

The tour of the Stations of the Cross and “Mary, Did You Know?” helped me to truly appreciate Mary and makes me especially grateful for her role in God’s plan.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!


Feeling blessed,
Emily
6 Comments
Scott Fischer
12/20/2022 04:26:30 pm

Well done Emily! Thank you!

Reply
Cheryl Marcheso
12/20/2022 07:07:14 pm

I really enjoyed your story. It’s a picture you have painted in my mind that I will never forget. Thank you for sharing.
Cheryl Marcheso

Reply
Karen Muir Yates link
12/20/2022 04:50:35 pm

Emily, This a beautiful interpretation of
the song.
Your insight and ability to share the depth of the blessing Mary took upon herself without question or second thought. What a selfless woman. I wish I could have met her

Reply
Carolyn Keefer
12/20/2022 04:59:26 pm

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. Mary truly was such an amazing part of this Christmas story. Thank you for sharing AND Merry Christmas!

Reply
Elizabeth McGavin (TEEL)
12/20/2022 05:01:24 pm

Absolutely, so well done! "Mary Did You Know" is my very personal favorite! I used to sing it with the Coeur d Aleers at our Christmas concerts! It is very personal & special to me because I can't get through it without feeling the deep meaning & truth of the words!
Thank you! Jersey Girl!

Reply
Jean Gilmore
12/21/2022 12:14:46 pm

Thank you. Even though my husband's employers were strong Catholics and we had attended several services over the years at the family's church, I had never concentrated on the stations of the cross. Your weaving your walk with the lyrics of "Mary, Did You Know?" is a beautiful part of the story of our Lord's birth.

Reply



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 First Presbyterian Church | 521 E Lakeside Ave | Coeur d'Alene | ID  83814
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  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
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        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
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      • Past Ministers
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