[DannyTN]

I think the article is B.S.

Regarding rape victims:
It's not wrong to talk about purity or virginity of Mary. God chose her and God said she would be honored. Rape steals something very precious and irreplaceable from it's victims and society should be absolutely outraged by it. And the rape victims need support and counseling as they grieve what has been stolen from them.

But it's not the end of the world, it's not the end of the victim's life. It's the purity of the heart not the body that is really important.
Mathew 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

I told my daughter that statistics say 25% of women are raped or abused by the time they turn 18. And that I hope and pray it never happens to her. But if it does, you need to understand I will always love you and will not think less of you. And you should get counseling because it can mess you up psychologically so you need to get help to deal with it the right way if it ever happens.

Regarding what Mary knew:

We know what the angel told her, but how much did she actually understand? She knew she would bear the Son of God. Did she realize that meant he was God Incarnate? Did she realize then that His mission was to pay for our sins? Or that he would hang on the cross?

I think the song is fine. I think it presents the wonder of the nativity in a warm and brilliant way.

[21twelve]

“We know what the angel told her, but how much did she actually understand? She knew she would bear the Son of God. Did she realize that meant he was God Incarnate? Did she realize then that His mission was to pay for our sins? Or that he would hang on the cross?

I think the song is fine. I think it presents the wonder of the nativity in a warm and brilliant way.”

What you said above is perfect. I was just reading some scripture where the emotions of joy and sadness are mixed together. That is what I feel when I hear that song. Yes, Mary knew the joy of God's love and was grateful, but I wonder if she knew how her Son would die - would that have changed how she felt?

Interestingly, while we know that Mary was present at the Crucifixion, it says nothing about her reaction, other than that she was standing by the cross.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Amen!

The contemplative questions are not answered in the other sones or scriptures quoted.

The shallow piety that pops up on FR from time to time is not impressive.

[Elsie]

...statistics say 25% of women are raped or abused by the time they turn 18.

I wonder what percentage of these are by friends, family and/or strangers?

[Jeff Chandler]

I told my daughter that statistics say 25% of women are raped or abused by the time they turn 18.

Horse Obama.