Who Was Mary, the Mother of Jesus? (For Kids)
Mary was a young woman from Nazareth whom God chose to be the mother of Jesus. An angel told her she would have a son called Jesus, and she answered, “be it unto me according to thy word.”
- When
- At the very start of the New Testament
- Found in
- Matthew 1–2, Luke 1–2, John 19, Acts 1
- Big idea
- Mary said yes to God before she understood how it would all work out.
Mary’s story, step by step
- 1
The angel’s visit
The angel Gabriel came to Mary in Nazareth and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured” (Luke 1:28). She would have a son and call His name Jesus.
- 2
Mary’s answer
Mary asked how it could happen, and then trusted: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).
- 3
The journey to Bethlehem
A Roman census sent Mary and Joseph about 70 miles south to Bethlehem — a long, hard trip for a woman about to give birth.
- 4
A manger for a bed
There was no room in the inn, so Mary wrapped her newborn in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.
- 5
Shepherds and wise men
Shepherds ran in from the fields with an angel’s message, and later wise men came with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Mary “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
- 6
Standing by the cross
Years later Mary stood near the cross when Jesus died, and Jesus asked His friend John to take care of her. After the resurrection she was praying with the disciples in Jerusalem.
Memory verse
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
Luke 1:38 (KJV)
Fun facts about Mary
- Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46–55 is often called the Magnificat.
- She was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter from the family line of King David.
- Her cousin Elisabeth was the mother of John the Baptist.
- Jesus’ first miracle, water into wine at Cana, happened after Mary asked Him for help (John 2).
Christmas Nativity coloring page
Free printable Christmas nativity coloring page — stable, manger, animals, and the bright star with the KJV verse.
Open & printTake the Mary quiz
Test what you remember with questions drawn straight from the King James text.
Start the quiz More Bible quizzes for kidsRead the full stories
Talk about it
- Mary said yes without knowing what would happen next. What makes that hard?
- Why do you think God chose an ordinary young woman from a small town?
- Mary “pondered” things in her heart. What does it mean to think carefully about God?
Do it together
Set out the nativity figures and let the children retell Luke 2 in their own words, one figure at a time. Then colour the nativity printable and learn Luke 1:38.
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus. Like Mary, help me to say yes to You even when I don’t understand everything. Amen.
Questions kids ask about Mary
Who was Mary in the Bible?
Mary was a young woman from Nazareth, engaged to Joseph, whom God chose to be the mother of Jesus. The angel Gabriel announced His birth to her, and she accepted God's plan (Luke 1:26–38).
How old was Mary when Jesus was born?
The Bible does not say. Historians think girls in that time were usually engaged in their teens, so Mary was probably very young — but any exact age is a guess, not Scripture.
Why was Jesus born in a stable?
Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem for the Roman census and found no room in the inn, so Jesus was laid in a manger — the feeding trough of the animals (Luke 2:7).
What is the Magnificat?
It is Mary's song of praise in Luke 1:46–55, beginning “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” She praises God for keeping His promises and lifting up the humble.