Mary, did you know?

Over the years we have collected a variety of creches - nativity scenes, if you will. There's a set rendered as corn husk dolls that we found in the Czech Republic, others are more traditional. One of our favorites is a group of clay figures from Peru. All the characters are dressed as indigenous people of that country; instead of the traditional donkey there is a llama. That's the set we have on display now.

Mary and Joseph, or perhaps I should say Maria and José, are simple figures. She is wearing the traditional felt "bowler" hat, the sign of a married woman. He wears the alpaca ear flap cap, typical for the men of that country. They look like the peasant folk that we saw in the rural areas of Peru - more Inca than Spanish - people that live close to the earth.

The original Mary and Joseph were probably "peasant" folk in the region of Galilee. We know Joseph was a carpenter, but there's some debate as to whether that set him apart from others or established him as one of the working poor. We know that they offered up the bare minimum at the temple - turtle doves - the offering of the poor. Christmas cards and decorations often show soon-to-deliver Mary riding a donkey led by Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem. Truth be told, they probably both walked on that week-long trip.

It is almost certain that Mary was a teenager when she gave birth, but apart from a cousin, we know nothing about her family, her upbringing, her education, her social status. There are legends and apocryphal stories, but the Biblical record gives us little.

Maria and José, kneeling in our creche, have the look of children. Tradition says she was fourteen. What must she have thought when Gabriel stalked into her house? What anguish she must have felt before the angel visited Joseph. What a terrifying experience to give birth, far from home, without any family helping her. What thoughts went through her mind in that simple setting?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would some 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've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

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?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am?

Oh Mary, did you know?

 - Clay Aiken