Several days ago, we tried to sing Mary Did You Know? at a Christmas gathering. There was no follow-along music, so you can imagine the off-key injustices. I hummed sections of the verses and tried to sing some others.
All I can say is, “God knew our hearts!”
We wanted to do better.
Believe me, Mary deserved better.
Several more guests arrived at the Christmas gathering and sat down. Suddenly, a melody tune came from the group. Someone called it “A Christmas Miracle!” A calm, melodic river overcame the choppy, audible voices. Some people, me included, muted ourselves.
The songbird was right in front of me. We finished singing Mary Did You Know? And the finale was in grand style. No one fretted about the rough start as we awed the newly seated guest who saved the song.
Afterward, I told several at my table what I knew about the song. Mark Lowry wrote the lyrics, and the song’s questions were controversial to one or more religious denominations.
In 1984, Mark Lowry studied, pondered, and meditated about the biblical story of Jesus’ birth after being asked to write a script for a church Christmas program.
According to the story, Lowry wrote a list of questions he wanted to ask Mary, which are the basis for the song.
After carrying the questions around for seven years, he asked Buddy Greene, a songwriter, to write the music for the lyrics.
Michael English debuted Mary Did You Know? in 1991. The song has been recorded by numerous musical artists, including Trin-I-Tee 5:7. The song is very popular and adored during Christmas time.
Some people feel they must answer the question posed in the song’s title, Mary Did You Know?
Many say, “Yes, she knew.”
Others question whether any of the song’s questions should be asked because Mary had to have known that her son was no ordinary boy or human.
Mary knew many things; among them were:
She knew the prophecies about the One who would come.
She believed in God’s prophesies.
She believed the angel Gabriel.
She knew what Gabriel told her was God’s will for her, her son, and the world.
In the Old Testament, Isaiah 7:14 declares, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.”
Gabriel told Mary that her pregnancy would be on this wise, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (KJV).”
Gabriel said the following about Mary’s son, Jesus:
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there shall be no end (KJV).”
Mary believed in God’s word, found favor, and was an obedient servant as a young maiden who became the mother of the world’s savior, Jesus Christ.
Remember, there is no Christmas without Christ.
I hope you are happy and well.
Merry Christmas!