What DID Mary Know?

Welcome to all my hoppers and those just stopping by.

Well, it's Christmas again, and that means Christmas music. And Christmas music means that you'll probably hear, at least once, the song "Mary Did You Know?"

Full disclosure: I don't necessarily like the song. I don't really have anything against it, it's just not my cup of tea (or hot chocolate). No matter what version it is, I just don't like the song. Of course, the fact that I have to answer the questions each time I hear the song might have something to do with that.

My second novel, "What Difference Does Seven Days Make?" (out on ebook early 2012), required a lot of research into the minds and beliefs of the turn-of-the-era Jews. They had certain expectations of their Messiah that (truth be told) were not fulfilled in the person of Jesus. (Not to say Jesus isn't the Messiah, but they were looking for something else.)

So, without further ado, here are the answers to the questions being sung: 

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?  No. The Messiah was not rumored to have any supernatural powers.
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Yes. The Messiah, she believed, would be a military leader the likes of which hadn't been seen since King David. He was, she presumed, going to overthrow all rulers that had conquered the land of Judah and expand the borders to where they were during King David's time.
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? No. Only God could do that. (Unless the "you" we're talking about is the nation of Israel, then Yes.)
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you. Deliver from oppression?  Yes. Deliver from sin? Nope.



Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Perhaps. The Messiah was supposed to have the same power as the prophets, and many prophets performed miracles.
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Perhaps, but not likely.
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? No. The Messiah, she believed, was not God.
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God. No. That would be blasphemous.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb. Perhaps, but not likely, again. Except for the last one: Everyone, she knew, would praise her son.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? No. Again, blasphemy!
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Yes. The Messiah would definitely rule all the nations one day.
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? No. The Messiah('s family) would rule forever. Lambs are slaughtered when they are still young.
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am. No. Such thoughts would get her killed.

Hope you enjoyed this little history lesson.

Merry Christmas!