Songs for Christmas – Mary, Did You Know?

by Pepper Basham | Dec 6, 2011 | Fiction Book Reviews | 10 comments

A more recent song which has touched hearts is Mary, Did You Know? – a Mark Lowry song, made popular by Michael English.

Mary, Did You Know? was written in 1984, but not performed by Michael English until 1992 – when it truly became more popular. There are some poignant messages woven throughout this song, forshadowing the ultimate purpose of Christ’s incarnation.

Here is Kathy Mattea’s version of the song – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXK50lsrdq4&feature=related

And here is the most recent recording of the song, performed by Clay Aiken – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07SQgt-Jmws&feature=related

So, what does award winning author, Deeanne Gist have to say about her favorite Christmas song?

My favorite Christmas song is the contemporary Christmas classic, Mary, Did You Know? It moves me every time I hear it. It humanizes Jesus for me in a way no other song has. He is my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Groom. But he was also a man, born of the Virgin Mary. As a mom, I held my newborn babies praising God for such miracles, while simultaneously having no idea what life had in store for them–some of it good, some of it not so good.

This song channels those feelings I had and then transfers them to Mary as I envision her holding her newborn the way I held mine. It makes me think about what it must have been like to have shepherds come and behold her baby, then tell her what the angels had said. I think my favorite, though, is the way the Scriptures say Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” That’s what this song makes me think about. And every time I hear it, I am blessed.

Wow – what would it have been like to be in Mary’s place?

Do you have a particular Christmas song you like that focuses on a specific person of the Christmas story? This one focuses on Mary (as does a later featured song, Breath of Heaven) – but are there others?

Don’t forget to stop by Friday for the song The Little Drummer Boy! Which author(s) chose this song as his/her favorite?

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photo courtesy of: http://jrigh.deviantart.com/art/Mary-Did-You-Know-Part-1-188222279

10 Comments

Casey on December 6, 2011 at 10:25 pm

I really, really love this song and love how Dee summed it up so perfectly! There is something about this song that just gives me goosebumps. It’s like we get to crawl into Mary’s skin for about 3 minutes and never want to leave. 🙂 To carry our Savior? I wonder if she ever truly realized the gift she gave to the rest of the world–or rather was allowed to share in that giving.
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- Pepper on December 7, 2011 at 12:39 pm
  
  Great thought, Case (like Dee said) ‘carrying our Savior?” whew….what a responsiblity! what an honor!
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Keli Gwyn on December 7, 2011 at 2:23 am

“Mary, Did You Know?” is a beautiful song. Our daughter sang it during one of our Christmas services once, and it moved me to tears.

I’m guessing Ruth Logan Herne, aka Ruthy, is the one who likes “Little Drummer Boy”–because she marches to her own beat. =)
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- Pepper on December 7, 2011 at 12:41 pm
  
  LOL…LOVE IT, Keli!!
  Get Ruthy….go get her 😉
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brendabh on December 7, 2011 at 3:28 am

I love “Mary Do You Know” but can’t remember who I heard sing on radio. Must be a lapse in memory for this old retired lady. lol
O Holy Night is my fav. Thanks for sharing links.
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- Pepper on December 7, 2011 at 12:41 pm
  
  O Holy Night is a beautiful choice, Brenda
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Ruthy on December 7, 2011 at 7:28 am

I love this one, too. So sweet. Poignant. Meaningful. I’ve heard several versions on the radio, but Iike our 4-part choir version best. The blend of voices, the musicians. It’s soulful. Deanne, good choice and Pepper, thank you so much for doing this!

AND I’M HO-HO-HOING AT THE GWYNSTER’S COMMENT!!! 😉

Although I love the Drummer boy and the medley with Peace on Earth is a fave of mine, it’s (think Brian Regan) not my MOST favorite. It’s like maybe fifth favorite.

First??? Oh, we’ll have to watch and see! 😉 I wonder what Keli’s favorite is???? Something short , no doubt! 🙂

Sorry. I’m pretending to be TALL.
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- Pepper on December 7, 2011 at 12:51 pm
  
  Who else to bring in the Christmas spirit but Ruth Logan Herne?
  Keli is an appropriate challenger, if we’re talking short 😉
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janet dean on December 7, 2011 at 8:17 am

I love this song, too, Deeanne! Mary, Did You Know reminds me of Marjorie Holmes’s book Two From Galilee, a fictional account of what Mary and Joseph must’ve felt and experienced with the miraculous birth of Jesus.
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- Pepper on December 7, 2011 at 12:53 pm
  
  Oh Janet, that’s a wonderful book – and wonderful connection with the song
  Reply