This Week’s Song: Mary Did You Know?

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² 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, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Art Deco Train Station | Omaha, NE | November 2022

What was Mary doing when the angel came to her with this world-changing announcement? Some think she was reading or praying. Other artists show her sewing or spinning. Maybe she was cooking or working in the garden. Might she have just sat down to rest or ponder life. We don’t know what she was doing, but we do know the angel came to her with startling news. She would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit and would bear a son, the Son of God. Now that’s startling news. Life changing. World shattering. Earth shaking.

Her questions were not dismissed by the angel or by God. The answers she got would surely need to be pondered. Nine months later she would “treasure up and ponder in her heart” the events of his birth. But now she simply accepts the message of the angel and identifies herself as the Lord’s servant. She will let it be to her as the angel had said. She will take her place humbly in the events that are unfolding around her.

Those events were specific to her. She would become pregnant. She would visit her cousin and learn of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. She would praise God with the beautiful words of the Magnificat. She would be great with child and give birth to her son. But for now she will believe, submit, wait, and ponder.

I believe that I’ve had one encounter with an angel. That’s a whole different story. But the message I received shaped my entire ministry. Whether we’ve been visited by an angel or not, however, we all can take a cue from Mary’s response to the angel’s news. For we’ve heard good news as well. God has spoken to us in his word. We read the Bible and certain texts speak to us and touch our hearts. Certain truths ring crystal clear. Certain promises, commands, warnings, and prophecies impact us.

What are we to do with all these? Believe, obey, trust, wait, ponder, listen. If we do we will learn more about God, deepen our faith, find greater joy, and experience greater peace. This song helps me do that. Perhaps it will do the same for you. We can all be surrounded by God’s grace and favor, marvel at his glory, and play our part in his grand story of redemption.

Mary Did You Know?

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

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

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

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? Oh

Songwriters: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Word Music, LLC

PS: You might find it interesting to read this biblical examination of the song.