This song written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene has become one of the most popular contemporary Christmas songs since it’s public release in 1991. It’s already been considered a Christmas classic that has now been recorded by more than a dozen artists from Kenny Rogers to American Idol Clay Aiken. The most amazing thing to me about this song is it’s popularity and airplay on secular radio stations which usually confine their Christmas music to Christmas party fair like Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and Here Comes Santa Claus. Of course they do play some songs that tell the Christmas story like O Holy Night and Joy To The World but they are mixed in with all of the other traditional Christmas songs and just become background noise at most office and house parties. So what makes Mary Did You Know? such an endearing and popular song among even those who would not consider themselves ‘religious’?

Mark Lowry tells us in The Story Behind The Song,

“I tried to picture Mary holding the baby Jesus on the first Christmas morning and wondered what she was thinking about that child,” he says. “She knew he was special - the Virgin Birth was her first clue - but could she ever imagine all the things that he would do while he was here?”

I think he, either knowingly or unknowingly, tapped into the questions that people have been asking about Jesus for centuries. These questions are wrapped up in song attributing them to someone asking Mary these questions about Him. Mark told Christianity Today that even he would like to ask these questions of Mary. Even so, today the subject of Jesus’ identity and deity is always being questioned. I believe the song is so popular because it speaks to believers and non-believers alike. Christians who believe that Jesus is God incarnate will identify with the song because the lyrics affirm the deity of Christ and non-Christians appreciate the questioning of Mary since they too question whether or not Jesus did these things or was who He said He was.

Although Mark Lowry may be right to wonder whether or not Mary knew all the things that her baby boy would accomplish, their was no doubt that she knew who Jesus was. Notice in Luke 1:43 that Elizabeth affirms that Mary is the mother of the Lord and Mary goes on to rejoice with Elizabeth in further affirmation of Jesus’ deity in Luke 1:46-55. Her use of past tense of the Lord’s mighty deeds affirms that she knows her baby boy is God incarnate and has already done great things as God. She may not have known that He would walk on water or give sight to blind man but she knew He was her Savior and the Savior of the world (Luke 1:47).

The claims of miracles and salvation and the deity of Christ are what this whole song is about. So listeners who may not consider themselves to be religious or even remotely Christian may be enjoying the song and requesting it be played on their favorite secular radio stations may be doing so just because they happen to like the tune or the particular artist performing it, but my guess is they are requesting it because of an innate subconscious God-given desire to believe against all doubts.

I’d like to ask those who enjoy the song, “Friend, did you know ________?” and fill in the blanks with the Scriptures Mark Lowry used to pen this wonderful modern classic which points listeners to ‘the reason for the season.’

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would someday walk on water?Matthew 14:25-33

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters? Luke 1:50

Did you know, that your baby boy Has come to make you new? 2 Corinthians 5:17

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you John 19:26-30

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will give sight to a blind man? John 9:1-7

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will calm a storm with His hand? Matthew 8:26

Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where angels trod? Revelation 21:1-6

When you’ve kissed your little baby Then you’ve kissed the face of God John 20:28

The blind will see, the deaf will hear Luke 7:21-22

The dead will live again John 11:42-44

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb John 5:1-14; Matthew 12:22; Mark 7:32-37

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation? Colossians 1:16

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will one day rule the nations? Revelation 17:14

Did you know that your baby boy Was heaven’s perfect Lamb? Revelation 5:12

This sleepy child your holding Is the great I Am John 8:58


So whether you are a Christian, non-Christian, seeker or skeptic, enjoy this song and consider it’s message. We may only hear this song played around Christmas time but this is a timeless story or should I say, a story for all time.

Blessings to you all.



Notes

Mary Did You Know (song)
Mark Lowry , Buddy Greene / Copyright 1991 Word Music

Mary and Baby (artwork)
Copyright 1995 David Upton

Mary and Sleeping Child (artwork)
Copyright 1998 David Upton

Posted by David_Upton at December 20, 2005 08:32 PM