Mary, Did You Really Know?

By DJ Hejtmanek

Mary, Did You Really Know?

Dear Mary,

Your exalted story plays like a lovely loop in the background of my life, complete with music, lights, and a little chaos. I feel I know you better with each pass. But one Christmas Day boosted that link. We both gave birth on the same day. Well, yours was probably a different day, they say, but I had my first child on the day we celebrate Christmas Day. Okay, maybe we aren’t that similar, but we both had a baby boy.

Nevertheless, I’m struck by your bravery facing this life-changing occasion.

Did you really understand the crazy sequence of events surrounding the birth of your first child? You talked to an angel! Gabriel, no less. Did that help?

“The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” Luke 1:28 -29 NIV

Gabriel said you were highly favored by God and this troubled you. Are you like me and feel uncomfortable when people say nice things about you because you are unsure of your own worth? Maybe you were simply troubled because this angel appearing thing didn’t happen every day. You didn’t seem to question his heavenly credentials. Was he glowing, extra tall, or somehow other worldly?