In 2022, the title "Mary, Did You Know?" brings a different question to mind. Did songwriter, singer, comedian and longtime Gaither Vocal Band member Mark Lowry have any clue that he was writing one of the few songs from the '90s that would make him as synonymous with modern Christmas music as Amy Grant?
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Lowry came up with the concept in 1984 and spent seven years ironing out the lyrics. He shared its concept for the first time in the '80s as a monologue for a Christmas concert hosted at Jerry Fallwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va. Harmonia player and fellow Southern gospel artist Buddy Greene wrote the musical accompaniment in 1991, the same year the song debuted on Christian artist Michael English's self-titled debut album. At the time, Lowry and Greene were on tour with the most influential gospel songwriters of the 20th century, Bill and Gloria Gaither.
In the years to come, Lowry's layman's terms retelling of Jesus' origin story appeared on Christmas albums by artists from outside of gospel music. Kenny Rogers' 1996 Christmas collection The Gift includes a duet version with Wynonna Judd. Others cutting their own rendition for a holiday album include CeeLo Green, Clay Aiken, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and a cappella singing group Pentatonix. The latter's an especially moving version and can be heard on holiday album That's Christmas to Me. Listen to Pentatonix's version here.
The popular song's not without its critics. Mike Frost, a leading voice of the missional church movement, reminds us that Mary knew her place in history. That's why he dismisses Lowry's work as "the least Biblical, most sexist Christmas song ever written."
"Could you imagine a song asking Abraham 17 times if he knew he'd be the father of a great nation? Would we sing 'David, did you know you'd rule the kingdom of Israel?'," Frost wrote on his website. "We know both men knew this because God revealed it to them. But to the woman, Mary, we sing a condescending Christmas song asking her if she had any idea what on earth she was doing."
Lowry has acknowledged such criticisms of a song he hopes will lead others to the gospel with his usual mix of wit and sincerity.
"I never meant for it to start a war or irritate people," he said (as quoted in 2021 by Religion News). "I definitely didn't want that."
Even if it doesn't exactly line up with literal interpretations of what preceded Christ's journey from the manger to the cross, "Mary, Did You Know" elicits shouts of "hallelujah" and fits the same Christmas music playlists that give us an excuse to hear another Gaither Vocal Band alum, David Phelps, belt out "O Holy Night."
This story previously ran on Dec. 15, 2021.
READ MORE: 10 Essential Country Christmas Albums For Every Holiday Music Lover
"Mary, Did You Know" Lyrics
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? (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? (Mary, did you know?)
