There are five occasions where Mary is present and prominent, but unheard, for in these records she does not speak. It is the eloquence of golden silence. Mary knows when to speak, when to sing, and when to be silent.
That was an historical day and a memorable moment when the shepherds of Bethlehem came to see the infant Messiah. ‘A Saviour which is Christ the Lord’, the angels had told them and they came with haste to see the wonder of it all. Wonder indeed! The Son of God had become the Son of Mary, the Creator had become a Child – God manifest in flesh. Mary is there, knowing more than any or all of them, but she simply ponders in her heart. There are things too great for words, and this is one.
It was so, too, some six weeks later, when the holy Infant was carried to the temple. Simeon blesses God and blesses them. He took the Child up in his arms and spoke of salvation and glory, and of sorrow too that was to come. Mary listens, but again we have no record of her speaking.
Sometime later the wise men came. How many there were we do not know. Having consulted with Herod in Jerusalem, the star then led them to the house. They opened their treasures, they presented their gifts, and they worshipped the infant Christ. Mary is there, but yet again, there are no recorded words from the gentle mother.
The years pass. Simeon’s prophecy is being fulfilled and a sword is piercing Mary’s heart. She is courageous as ever, standing near to the cross as Jesus suffers. From the tree He speaks to her, and to John He speaks about her. But here is yet another occasion for silence. The sinless One nailed to a cross. The Friend of sinners crucified. Who can understand it? Who can find words adequate in circumstances like these? Mary does not speak.
The last reference to Mary finds her at the prayer meeting with the apostles in Acts chapter 1 after the ascension of the Lord Jesus, and of course we do not hear her voice. What a delightful conclusion to the story of Mary of Nazareth. We have heard her speaking at other times. We have listened to her singing. But we admire her moments of rich silence.
