I’ll never forget the first time I heard the song, “Mary Did You Know?” on the radio. As a new believer, probably by one year, I had been struggling to make the true Jesus connection. But low and behold, God knew how to reach in and help me along the way. I completely understood that Jesus was my Lord, my savior, and that through Him my life changed in a heartbeat. What I wasn’t grasping was God and Jesus as one. Jesus being God incarnate and why. (Mind you I grew up in church…but I was in and of the world for over 20 years. Blinded and deceived to Christ.)
I wasn’t truly grasping the magnitude of God’s love for me. For you. For humanity. The true understanding of what a sacrifice the Almighty made for us when he not only hung upon a cross but also the “simple” act of coming to earth and being born in human form. The struggle was real! King Herod was out for his blood before he even knew if the Messiah had actually come to be, yet he was scared to death of Him. Scared – of a baby, named Jesus.
I digress…
As I stated, the heart connection between me and Jesus had yet to become deep and meaningful. It was nearing Christmas when one day, while driving, a song came on the radio that took my breath away. Before I knew it, one of those ugly, heaving cries spring forth, and my heart broke for Jesus, hence opening up to a world of understanding which I never knew possible. The song was (the Mark Lowry, original version of) “Mary Did You Know” which in my humble opinion is one of the most profound songs written about the Christ child’s birth, to date. (You can hear it by clicking on the video below.)
The sheer fact that The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY thought it necessary to take the form of the creation he loves so much, in order to not only save us from ourselves, but understand us on a whole new level…is mind blowing. That is the love of the Father God. The Word became flesh. The rest is HIStory.
(In 2012 I had the distinct privilege and pleasure of hearing Mark Lowry perform this glowing tribute to our Lord, live, at a Women of Faith conference. The Holy Spirit was so heavy and the tears of joy were flowing down faces aglow with the Savior’s love in and on so many of those ladies. It was such an amazing time of praise and worship.)
This Christmas season has been one of contemplation. One where I’ve needed to focus on Jesus and am grateful for that focus. I haven’t enjoyed “Christmas” for a long time because of physical distance from family. Now that my family has drastically dwindled, it is of the utmost importance to make it less and less about gifts of the world, rather gifts of the heart. Sharing His love in a tangible way, even if it proves difficult. Because that is what love does…walks through the hard places to reach those who need it. Just as our Lord chose the difficult path to reach us with His love.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:11-14 NIV)