Advent Thoughts: Mary

Two years ago I wrote lyrics for my first and only songwriting collaboration with our choir director at church. He asked me to write something about Mary's perspective on the Christmas story.

I was thinking about how Mary was the first one to know Jesus as Immanuel, his name which translates as "God-with-us." She was the first person in history to experience the indwelling of Christ. The really cool part is that she knew it literally, as she carried the baby who was also God inside her. Because of this ultimate miracle, now you and I can carry Him in our hearts. Isn't that amazing?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14


"The virgin will be with child

and will give birth to a son

and will call him Immanuel."

Then the angel sang

to fulfill those ancient words

that God-with-out

would become God-with-in

Sweet in Mary's heart

sprang the first worship

of God-with-us

Immanuel

Soon this foretold child

would live mankind to save

but just this hushed moment

the joy was hers alone:

"O may my soul sing

forever of your great love!

How can it be that in me stirs

the rescue of all ages?"