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've 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?
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.
The great I am...
Danny Gokey - Mary, Did You Know? (Live Acoustic Sessions)
Mary, Did You Know? Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Danny Gokey's live acoustic rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?", released on December 12, 2015, offers a beautifully contemplative exploration of the Christmas story, presenting the familiar narrative through a unique lens. The song itself, penned by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, doesn't just recount the facts of Jesus' birth but poses profound questions to Mary, the mother of Jesus, inviting us to ponder the immense weight and mystery she carried. It probes whether she fully grasped the divine identity of the infant in her arms – that this child would heal the blind, walk on water, calm storms, raise the dead, and ultimately be the Savior of the world and the King of Heaven. This particular acoustic version by Gokey strips away any elaborate production, leaving the core message exposed, delivered with a sincerity that draws one into quiet reflection on the Nativity's true significance.
The song's power lies in its humility, imagining Mary cradling her newborn son, Messiah and God veiled in human flesh. It asks if she knew that the baby sleeping in her lap was the one who created the stars and sustains the universe. This perspective resonates deeply with the biblical truth found in Colossians 1:16-17, which states that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." The song’s questions echo the breathtaking reality that the Creator stepped into creation, becoming vulnerable humanity.
Furthermore, the song's queries about Jesus' future ministry are firmly grounded in Scripture. Asking if Mary knew this baby would give sight to the blind or cause the lame to walk points directly to prophecies fulfilled and documented in the Gospels. Isaiah 35:5-6 foretold a time when "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer." Jesus Himself referenced these signs as proof of His identity in Matthew 11:4-5. The question about walking on water recalls the miraculous event in Matthew 14:25, and raising the dead speaks to accounts like the raising of Lazarus in John 11 or Jairus's daughter in Mark 5. The song encapsulates the entire scope of Jesus' earthly work, from miracles to His ultimate redemptive purpose, asking if the mother could foresee the breadth of His divine power and human suffering.
While the song poses the question, we know from Scripture that Mary, though likely not grasping the *full* detail of every miracle or moment at His birth, had been given extraordinary insight. The angel Gabriel had told her He would be great, called the Son of the Most High, given the throne of David, and His kingdom would have no end (Luke 1:32-33). She knew He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Simeon's prophecy later hinted at the pain she would endure (Luke 2:34-35), suggesting a growing awareness over time. The song taps into the awe and mystery surrounding the incarnation – how could anyone, even His mother, fully comprehend the infinite God contained in a finite form?
Danny Gokey's performance in this acoustic setting enhances the song's reflective quality. His vocal delivery is intimate and expressive, conveying a sense of wonder and reverence. The stripped-down arrangement allows the melody and the weight of the lyrics to take center stage, fostering a personal connection with the narrative. Hearing the vulnerability in his voice as he sings these profound questions prompts those listening to consider the magnitude of God becoming man, not just as a historical event but as the central act of redemption. It moves beyond a simple Christmas carol to become an act of worship, meditating on the identity of the One born in the manger. The song inspires a deeper appreciation for the journey of Jesus, from swaddling clothes to sovereign King, and reminds us that the baby Mary held was indeed the great "I AM," the Lord of all creation, come to save the world, as referenced in John 8:58 and Revelation 19:16. It encourages a renewed sense of awe for the Christmas miracle and the Savior it represents.
