journey onWord with us

Songs that tell the Christmas story are familiar to all. Whether you are in a church, a shopping center, restaurant or seasonal concert, the songs of the season resonate with almost everyone. Even those people who give little attention to spiritual things can mouth the words of these great songs the moment the music begins. It is interesting that most of the songs we love are all very old. Very few of us could name one Christmas song written in the last twenty years.  Except, maybe, for one … “Mary, Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene.

I was actually reminded of this great work while browsing the internet last week. I was on YouTube and saw this year’s winner of The Voice, Jordan Smith’s final night performance.  His version of “Mary, Did You Know” was exquisite and proclaimed the gospel message to millions on a secular show.

Every time I hear that song, I feel an emotional response.  Something about what Mary knew, and what she didn’t know, fascinates me.  I pray that my revisit of several powerful lines from this song will cause you to reflect on His majestic birth and awesome power. Remember, we are celebrating God becoming flesh … and that truth can never be overstated.

Take just a moment to read and remain on several select words from this song that you have heard, enjoyed, and maybe never stopped to internalize.

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?

Jesus did walk on water, and He will give eternal life to anyone who puts their trust in Him for salvation. Can you imagine raising the Son of God in your home? Mary fixed Jesus meals, gave Him baths as a child, never had to punish Him for misdeeds, and was likely profoundly impacted by the infinite capacity of His greatness. But could she have imagined Him on the water, or that He would one day die on the cross for us?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

When you kiss your little Baby, you kiss the face of God?

My Savior (and I trust yours) did heal the blind man, and He still can and will heal today. Never let your soul become so barren that you doubt His ability to do what doctors only wish they could do.

One of the thrills of every parent and grandparent is giving their special little boy or girl hugs and kisses. Mary undoubtedly loved to give the baby Jesus those same hugs and kisses. I get chills just typing the words that Mary was kissing the face of God himself. Could she have imagined, in any way, the depth of His divinity and humanity?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is the Lord of all Creation?

This sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great I Am!

We find in Scripture that by Him (Jesus) were all things created in heaven and on earth
(Colossians 1:16). But on the day that Christ was born, when Mary held Him close, what must she have been thinking? She was holding the Lord of all Creation who would be raised in her humble home. He was called Immanuel — which means, God with us. My mind races in wonder as I try to wrap my arms around what Mary sensed and knew about Immanuel in her own home. Christ-followers have Scripture, history, and the Holy Spirit to help us worship the Lord of all creation – the Great I Am.  Mary had an angel’s pronouncement that the Lord was with her and that she would give birth to the Son of God. She knew His name would be Jesus, but I can only imagine what she sensed and wondered as that Holy Child grew up in her household.

I admit that I am fascinated by one of the newer songs of the season, “Mary, Did You Know?” On Christmas Day, we will celebrate what we do know – that hope was born on that day.  The child that Mary raised grew up and walked on water, healed the blind, calmed the storm, raised the dead and died on a cross.  Then, to top it all off, rose from the grave … ALL FOR US!

In this life, we’ll never know all that Mary understood. But I am so glad that this song of the season reminds me that Christmas is about the Lord of all creation, the great I Am….. Savior of all who accept Him!

For those who are interested, click here to view Jordan Smith singing “Mary, Did You Know?”