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 would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know, your baby boy would calm a storm with his hands?
Did you know, that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and 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?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM
Mark Lowry, Guy Penrod, David Phelps - Mary, Did You Know? [Live]
Mary Did You Know Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Mark Lowry's "Mary, Did You Know?" stands as a modern Christmas classic, delving into the profound mystery surrounding Mary's role as the mother of Jesus. The lyrics, penned by Lowry with music by Buddy Greene, contemplate whether Mary could possibly have comprehended the full scope of her infant son's divine identity and future ministry while holding Him in her arms. It poses a series of powerful questions highlighting the paradox of the helpless baby who is simultaneously the omnipotent God.
The questions posed in the song traverse the entirety of Jesus' earthly journey and eternal nature. "Mary did you know, that your baby boy would one day walk on water?" immediately points to His dominion over creation. Subsequent lines reference His power to heal, "give sight to a blind man," and calm storms, demonstrating His authority over nature and disease. The lyrics connect the physical reality of holding an infant with the spiritual truth of embracing the divine, culminating in the poignant line, "When you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God." This encapsulates the central theme: the Incarnation, where divinity took on human form.
The song transitions to a bridge that foretells Jesus' miracles and the transformative impact of His coming: "The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the dead will live again." These lines directly reference the signs that confirmed Jesus' identity as the Messiah. The final verse returns to the questioning of Mary, expanding the scope to Jesus' universal dominion: "Lord of all creation," one who "would one day rule the nations." The song culminates by identifying the sleeping child as "heaven's perfect Lamb" and "the great I AM," titles that unequivocally declare His divine nature and eternal existence, echoing God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14.
The Gaither Vocal Band's live performance, featuring voices like Mark Lowry, Guy Penrod, and David Phelps, brings a unique depth to this contemplative song. Captured in the 2012 video, their rendition showcases the individual strengths of the vocalists, often building in intensity and harmony to match the weight of the lyrics. The arrangement typically emphasizes the solemn and wondrous nature of the questions, allowing the powerful message of Christ's identity to resonate deeply. The blend of their distinct vocal ranges conveys both the tenderness of holding a baby and the awe inspired by the divine power residing within Him.
This performance, like the song itself, serves as a meditation on the incredible reality of Christmas – not just the birth of a child, but the arrival of the Savior, the Lord, the "Great I AM." It encourages listeners to reflect on the profound implications of God becoming man and to marvel at the mystery that unfolded in that humble stable, a mystery perhaps even Mary herself only fully understood in stages as she witnessed her son's life, death, and resurrection. The song's enduring popularity across various musical genres speaks to its powerful theological message and its ability to stir hearts during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
