Singing Our Way Through December, Part One!

So with it being December ALREADY, I intend, Lord willing, to share this month some of the most well-known and most beloved Christmas songs and the history behind them! I'm really looking forward to it and I hope you are too!

Our first song for the month just happens to be my husband's favorite!

Many of the most popular Christmas carols were penned way back in the 18th and 19th centuries. But today, we're going to feature a more modern song. More modern in time, as well as in terms of how the story of the birth of Jesus is told.

This song comes from the viewpoint of the woman who brought Jesus into the world! His mother, Mary! And, yes, of course the name of the song is, “Mary, Did You Know?"

You probably heard many times over the years as you were growing up, "A mom just knows those kind of things!"

However, that night in Bethlehem, when the promised Messiah finally came in the form of a helpless baby, there was a lot His mom did not know! Although there was much she DID know which she never shared, but pondered it in her heart.

In 1984, as preparations were being made for "The Living Christmas Tree" program held at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Dr. Jerry Falwell asked one of his church members to write the program.

The songwriter/director was Mark Lowry, who at the time was still "an unknown"! 

He later became very well-known as a member of The Gaither Vocal Band, comedian, and in later years as a soloist.

As Mark worked on the speaking parts for the program, he began to think about Mary and what it may have been like for her.

In a casual conversation one day with his Mom, Bev, she simply commented to Mark, “You know, if anyone knew that Jesus was virgin born, it was indeed  Mary!"

That statement got Mark thinking back to the manger scene.

To the power, majesty and authority which Mary cradled in her arms.

Those were the very same lips which spoke the world into existence!

Those were the very same hands that touched people and healed them!

And, ultimately, that was the very same body which was nailed to a cross for our sins!

Mark began writing down a list of questions which he would have asked Mary if he would have been sitting next to her.

"Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you."

Those words became part of the dialogue for "The Living Christmas Tree" program at Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1984.

However, it was lacking one thing to make it a song. The music! 

Lowry spent seven years trying to track down just the right tune for those precious lyrics.

Mark's phone rang that Monday morning. When he answered, he heard Buddy Greene's voice on the other end. It had taken him less than thirty minutes to create a tune for the song, and when Buddy sang it to Mark over the phone, Lowry knew that was it, and he began making plans to have the song produced! 

While so many modern Christmas songs focus on “the season,” Mark Lowry’s song is a refreshing reminder of "THE REASON"!

Surely, there are many things which Mary did not know. Yet, in her own words, Mary said,

"My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."
Luke 1:46-55

Mary may have been young and surely did not understand all there was to know about her Son.

She may not have raised her Son in a fancy home surrounded with jewels and wealth.

Mary may not have taught Jesus about the "finer" things in life or expose Him to the latest and greatest cultural happenings of the day.

But there's one thing that Mary could and DID give to Jesus, and that was her LOVE.  

There's

something

VERY

POWERFUL

about

the love

of a mother!

Mary,

did you

know

that your

Baby Boy

is

heaven's

perfect lamb?

That

sleeping child

you're holding

is

THE

GREAT

I AM!

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May God Bless You,

Barb