Mary, did you know, the pain you endured to give birth to your son would, in some warped way, lead to fights over big screen TVs on Black Friday?

Mary, did you know, the anxiety you must have felt when your 12-year-old son was lost would someday be felt by teenagers forcefully taken from their homes, by groups using your son’s name, so they could take part in therapy?

Mary, did you know, the agony you felt watching your son hang from the cross, because what he preached was different, would be felt by people as they were hung from trees by professed followers of your son, because their skin color was different?

Mary, did you know, the hurt you felt as you heard the leaders of the church yell insults at your son as he was condemned to death would be felt by the families of fallen soldiers, because a man claiming to preach your son’s message was protesting at their funerals?

Mary, did you know, the book divinely inspired to share your son’s life and teachings would often be used to justify the persecution of others?

Mary, had you known all this ahead of time, would you still have said yes?

Mary, though, did you know, the joy you felt as you stared at your newborn son would be the same joy millions of children would feel as they await the celebration of his birth?

Mary, did you know, the words your son spoke would continually inspire people to do amazing works of mercy and love?

Mary, did you know, the courage your son showed as he was beaten and whipped by the Roman soldiers would give others the strength they would need to persevere when they were beaten down in life?

Mary, did you know, your son rising from his death would someday be the example for millions of people to rise from the death of their own lives’ despair?

Mary, you must know, though there is still great need for improvement, the world is a much better place because you said yes.