“The way you spend Christmas is more important than how much.” -Henry David Thoreau, (1817-1862) American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher

The following is an excerpt from the lyrics Mary Did You Know, written by Mark Lowry, in 1984. It was sung to the music written by Buddy Greene and originally recorded by Michael English in 1991. 

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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 deliver, will soon deliver you… 

…Mary, did you know that your baby boy 

Is Lord of all creation? 

Mary, did you know that your baby boy 

Would one day rule the nations? 

Did you know that your baby boy 

Is heaven’s perfect Lamb? 

That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, 

I Am

The song is a series of rhetorical questions. It prompts the audience to consider a topic and starts a discourse in their mind on one of the highest decisions ever made. 

Mary understands what is taking place is in a continuum of history. She is experiencing something that has its roots in antiquity–in God’s plan for all eternity. 

Mary is standing on the rim of the fulfillment of an ancient promise, trusting the promise that has been given. How does she respond?  

“He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful, For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever…

..He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. –

Luke 1:54,32 

She locates what is happening in her as the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. She is living out in her life the vindication of the faith of Israel through countless generations in the midst of great persecution that a faithful few have held onto that God would keep the promise he made centuries before. 

Mary understood that to be  “In God’s presence” results in“God in control.” How can we imitate this humble, mighty servant?  Be “Mary” and bright this Christmas. 

Mary did know.

All the promises of the Deliverer will come to pass in the appointed time. He moves with absolute determination to bring his plan to consummation and bring his Kingdom to fruition. The people of God will experience the New Jerusalem and they will sing a New Song. 

We will all sing together the song she taught us: 

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior …

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. 

And some say that women shouldn’t preach. 🌟