Mary knew she was a pregnant virgin,
Mary knew what Simeon told them here [in Luke 2:25-35],
she knew what the angel had said, and more.
So she knew that the cross was not the end of the story—
but it was true grief in the story nonetheless.
Knowing we are in a story does not prevent real story grip from happening.
A sword went straight through Mary’s soul—
and she knew that it was coming years in advance.
~Douglas Wilson, God Rest Ye Merry, p29~