“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” ” Luke 1:39-45 NLT
God of life,
Back to before Mary and Josephs journey to Bethlehem and the Christmas birth. Elizabeth and Zachariah must have only lived a pregnant woman’s walk away from Mary’s home but verse 41 suggests an uphill one! It was an amazing visit. One of those times when God is present in the sharing of news. A God blessed time. Thank You for those moments when You have encouraged and blessed us.
Your Holy Spirit touched and filled that tiny yet unborn baby cousin of Jesus. Preparing and anointing him for his calling. Special yes but how wonderful that Jesus planned to pour out His Spirit, available to us because of Pentecost. Your Spirit that rose Christ from the dead and filled John the Baptist lives in us (Romans 8:11).
And the challenge is for us to do the same as these two women and their husbands did. To believe in You and follow You. Give us faith when we waiver, hope when it is dark and Your Holy Spirit to keep us holy.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God of life,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our Christian family. Christmas services and meals planned.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government and for peace in our nation in this season.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For Sudan and all areas of conflict in the Middle East to know a new movement to peace.
For a new generation of Christians to rise up in faith to witness to their own generation.
For those organising shelters and meals for over Christmas and beyond . . .
For those charities and missions we support to have all they need practically and in You.
For us to remember Your touch and know that You are the same even when we feel down!
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 17th December 2024
The amazing story of how this hymn was written is below under the lyrics.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am
Lyrics: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
In his efforts to write a memorable Living Christmas Tree program for his church, Lowry took popular Christmas carols and hymns and interspersed them with play-like dialogue. While he was struggling to capture the wonder and amazement of that first Christmas, it was his mother, Bev, who gave him the spark of that original idea. In a casual conversation, one day, she simply commented to Mark, “You know, if anyone knew Jesus was virgin born, it was Mary…and her silence at the cross is proof, I think, that her story was indeed true.”
That simple observation, from his own mother, unleashed a torrent of questions and thoughts in Lowry’s mind about Jesus’ mother. It was begging to become a song. Lowry spent years trying to track down the right notes to cradle his lyrics. 7 years later he passed the lyrics to Buddy Greene and just one week later Buddy sang what he had written over the phone to Mark. English teachers may say it should be Mary do You know, but the song has endured as it is.