The young mother pushed the stroller up the slight incline.  We exchanged smiles and I glanced back to see what bundle of joy was being pushed.  Wrapped tightly, in some sort of winter wrap, was a tiny bundle; a new addition to our world.

Naturally, because it is the Christmas season, my mind turned to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  She “wrapped him in swaddling cloths”, (as was the tradition), “and laid him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). She was the one whose joy and burden it was to hold Jesus, the Saviour of the world.  (I say burden to hold because she would one day stand watching her son crucified - John 19:25). I think of the word hold. One definition of hold is “to take and keep something in your hand or arms.”

A well-loved song sung at Christmas has become ‘Mary Did You Know?’  We are drawn to the line with the word ‘hold’.

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
Mary, did you know?

Mary is holding much more than a swaddled baby. John, speaking of Jesus with the title ‘the Word’ says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him” (John 1:1-3). Paul said, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

Mary holds the one who holds, as has been sung, “the whole world in his hands.”  He, the eternal one – “In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.  The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 95:4).

In the definition of the word ‘hold’ we often see the words which say, ‘to keep fast.’  This means to hold tightly or firmly.  Not only does the living Word hold the world fast, we too are in his hold, kept fast.  The Psalmist said, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). When in distress David wrote, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me...because he delighted in me” (Psalm 18:16,19).   The one who flung stars into space is the one who holds us in all seasons of life.  Did you know that the one Mary held is the one who holds you, your home, your family, our world? Do you believe this?

It is easier for some than others to do this, but try to picture yourself held, by Jesus.  Rest there. Perhaps listen to this song and be reminded that Jesus who holds, and keep fast, offers the promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Mary Did You Know?

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 kissed the face of God?

Oh 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?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the great "I am"

God eternal, Word made flesh, thank you that you have said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” In this “we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).  AMEN

With care and in prayer,