Lyrics
Verse
Sweet little Jesus boy, lying in a manger
Sweet little Holy child, we didn't know who you were
Long time ago, they laid you in a manger
Long time ago, we didn't know who you were
Didn't know you could save us Lord
And wash our sins away
Our eyes were blind, we couldn't see
Choir:
We didn't know you Jesus
We didn't know forgive us
We didn't know, who you were
We didn't know, who you
Lord that you could save us
We didn't know, we didn't know
Didn't know that you could raise us
We didn't know, we didn't know
Didn't know that you could heal us
We didn't know, we didn't know
Didn't know that you could deliver us
We didn't know, we didn't know
We didn't know, you Jesus
We didn't know, forgive us
We didn't know, you Jesus
We didn't know, forgive us
We didn't know
Now we know that Jesus
Now we know Jesus
Now we know
Now we know
Now we know
Now we know
Now we know
Now we know
Now we know
Now we know
Ending:
You are the Son of God
You are the Son of God
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Sweet Little Jesus Boy - We Did Not Know” joins the humility of the nativity with a confession of spiritual blindness. The opening places the Holy Child in a manger, then looks back with sorrow at humanity failing to recognize his identity. As the choir repeats its plea for forgiveness, the song expands from the birth scene to the saving work of Jesus: cleansing sin, healing, deliverance, and restoration. The final declaration, naming Jesus as the Son of God, resolves the earlier uncertainty with worshipful recognition.
The manger imagery corresponds to Luke 2:7, where Mary lays Jesus in a manger after his birth. The repeated admission that people did not know him also recalls John 1:10–11, which says that the world did not recognize its maker and his own did not receive him. Matthew 1:21 supports the songs emphasis on Jesus saving people from sin. By holding ignorance, repentance, and recognition together, the arrangement presents Christmas not only as a tender birth story but as the arrival of the Savior.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:7 Mary lays the newborn Jesus in a manger because no guest room is available.
- John 1:10-11 The world does not recognize its maker, and his own people do not receive him.
- Matthew 1:21 The angel says Jesus will save his people from their sins.