This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. …Luke 2:19 (NKJ)
When I sign my books, I try to put a Scripture reference that will somehow connect with the story in whichever book I’m signing. For example, I like Psalm 46:1 for my latest release, my Shaker book, The Refuge. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. That not only mentions refuge. a word in my title, but also suits the story as my character finds refuge and strength in the Lord.
The above verse is the Scripture reference I put when I sign my Christmas novel, Christmas at Harmony Hill, because as my character prepares herself for the birth of her own baby in the story, she thinks about Mary birthing Jesus. So, when that book went on e-book sale for only 99 cents this month, I featured the book deal in the newsletter I sent out this week. (If you didn’t get a copy and would like one, let me know. You can also easily sign up for my newsletter by filling out the form in the margin here on my website. But you wouldn’t get the Christmas newsletter. You’d have to wait for the next one in a couple of months.) I always have a giveaway in my newsletters and I usually ask readers to answer a question or share a story with me when they enter. This time I asked them for stories about going caroling or being in a Christmas play or what their favorite Christmas song might be.
I haven’t had time to read through all the entries yet. Be assured I will because I love to hear from you all. But those I have read have named a number of different songs. But one that has been mentioned again and again is “Mary, Did You Know.” I love that song too. So, I decided to find out the story behind the song and went out searching on the net to see what I could find.
It seems Mark Lowry was a member of Jerry Falwell’s church in Virginia back in 1984 and was helping with their annual Christmas production. At the time, Mark was a young unknown, but talented singer and songwriter. When he was asked to write the program that year, he used familiar carols and songs, but wanted to come up with something to show the wonder and amazement of that first Christmas. His mother gave him the spark of how to come up with that original idea when one day she told Mark that if anyone knew Jesus was virgin born, it was Mary. That opened a floodgate of creativity as Mark began to think about Mary and the miracle of the birth of Jesus.
In an interview he gave several years ago about writing the song, he said he thought back to the manger scene and began to think about the power, authority and majesty Mary cradled in her arms. He began writing a list of questions he would like to ask Mary if he could sit down with her – questions such as, “Mary, do you know who is in your arms?” “Did you know the one who holds creation together, and the one who holds you together is lying helpless in the manger?” “Did you know that your baby boy will walk on water, give sight to a blind man and calm a storm at sea with his hand?”
He tried to put into words the unfathomable as he thought about these questions and more. “What was it like raising God?” “What did you know?” “What didn’t you know?”
And he came up with some beautiful words for a song. However, he didn’t have music for it until years later when he was traveling as a gospel singer. In 1991 he gave the words to a gospel music songwriter, Buddy Greene and asked if he could write a tune to go with the words. Buddy Greene took the words home with him and later wrote music for Mark’s words in thirty minutes. When he called Mark and sang the song to him over the phone, Mark knew his song had found the right music.
Although by this time, Mark was singing and touring with the Gaither Vocal Band, he didn’t think he had the right voice or talent to sing the song. He sent the song to Michael English who featured the song in his debut album. The only problem was that the album didn’t release until January 1 and so they missed the Christmas season. That made no difference. The song was an instant hit. Since then, the song has been recorded over 500 times by different artists. But for years Mark refused to sing the song in public because he thought it was beyond his singing ability and his musical comfort zone. However, one night during a Gaither concert in Detroit, an audience member yelled out, “Mark – Sing ‘Mary Did You Know’!” Lowry kindly refused, “Well, I don’t sing that,” to which the crowd responded with cheers and chants encouraging him to try. Lowry indulged the audience with an impromptu, a’cappella rendition. Now, of course, Mark sings it all the time. I’ve included a YouTube link where you can listen to him sing this beautiful song. What a gift to him and to all of us who love the song.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed knowing more about this beautiful song, “Mary, Did You Know.”
Remember, I’m giving away either a print copy of my book Christmas at Harmony Hill or winner’s choice of a different one of my books. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here before Saturday night. I’m giving away a book each week until Christmas to thank those of you who stop by here to read my posts and to join the conversation.
Do you like to know the stories behind the songs you love?
Comments 64
I think it is very interesting to know what inspires a person to write a song. So many things could influence them, a thought, an experience, or just see something that happened. It’s so nice that there are such talented people who can put their words on paper and bring the world a beautiful new song.
Author
I so agree, Connie. While writing a song takes a special talent, writing a story is sometimes the same as you suggest. A experience or something you read or hear can start the creative gears to turning.
I’ve always loved this song and enjoyed reading the story behind it. Love your books and thankful to be able to enter this give away.
Author
Thank you so much for reading my books, Judy. You can’t know how much I appreciate readers who take a chance on my stories. Glad you enjoyed the story behind the song too.
I love hearing stories behind carols and hymns. There is a book out there called Amazing Grace, a book of devotions. I have checked it out of the library many times.
Just read a story behind O Holy Night. There were many people who were not even Christian behind that song! Amazing!
Author
I’ll have to check the background of that song out, Paula. It’s a beautiful song. Sometimes the Lord using different ways to bless us with special gifts. My preacher likes to quote an uncle of his, who when Br. Fred was worried about being able to be a good preacher after he felt the preaching call, once told him “that the Lord can hit a pretty straight lick with an awfully crooked stick.” Whoever was behind the song “O, Holy Night,” the song has certainly blessed many, many people.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for yet another wonderful and interesting story. I love the song! My favorite Christmas song is “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” I listen to it over and over by the Judds.Maybe I’ll learn the story behind that song one day. Any way thanks for sharing & Merry Christmas!!
Author
That’s another beautiful song, Carrie. Not sure what sort of story might be behind it, but most really great songs do come from an inspiring incident or just a very talented and believing song writer.
How interesting to know the background. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Author
Merry Christmas to you too, Lucy. Always fun to see your comments here. Glad you enjoyed reading about this song. Maybe I’ll do more songs before the end of the month. We’ll see.
Thanks for the history behind this beautiful song.
Author
Glad you enjoyed reading about the song, Deborah.
I knew Mark Lowry wrote the lyrics – didn’t know the other details. Thx 4 sharing. Do u know the details of how Amazing Grace was written? I’ve seen a musical based on those details. If u don’t know them, look it up – great story. Also good story about how It Is Well with my Soul came to be written. Look it up if u don’t know it.
Author
I have read the stories behind how both those hymns were written. Both beautiful and inspiring songs, Peggy. I’ve always especially liked the song “It is Well with My Soul” but knowing the story behind it makes it even more meaningful.
I do enjoy hearing the backstory of well-known and little-known songs! My mom has a book written by Ace Collins which tells the stories of all the Christmas carols and how they came to be written. It’s a very interesting book! Mary, Did You Know is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I love the recording of Mark Lowry singing it with the a capella group Voctave. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaRpeMT1tjQ)
Author
Thanks for that link, Elizabeth. That was amazing. The music they could make with their voices did really enhance the song. Thanks for sharing. I got my husband, who is a singer, one of those books about songs once. Not sure he was as into how they got written as how they sounded when they were sung. 🙂
Mary Did You Know is my favorite Christmas song.I saw Mark at a Billy Graham Crusade led by Franklin in Danville Il several years ago, he told some funny stories which he is so good at, but he didn’t sing that song, it was a night to remember and I still have the program from every night of the Crusade.
Author
Mark is a great comedian as well as singer, Donna. He’s fun to watch for sure. Sounds as if you had a great experience at that crusade. It’s good to be with other believers and to see people come to a closer relationship with the Lord.
I listened to that song earlier this morning while making buscuits! I love that song, but I did not know the story behind it.Thank you!
Author
A good song to wake you up to Christmas joy in the morning before breakfast, Lisa. Glad you enjoyed the story behind the song.
Yes, I love to know the stories behind songs. While I’m not particularly musical myself, I appreciate the gifts and talents of musician; they minister to me. When my unwed daughter was early in her first pregnancy, I was grieving for choices and circumstances. During that time I heard a friend from church singing “Mary, did you know?” in a special service just for women and just sat and wept–out of sadness, but washed in the knowledge that Jesus was also born out of unusual circumstances and was such a blessing to the world. It was really comforting!
Author
I’m glad the Lord choose that song to minister you, Suzanne, when you needed it. I do believe that the Lord can work through all circumstances as long as we remember to count our blessings and love each other. Some circumstances can be difficult, but sometimes the hardest ones can lead to the biggest blessings. I hope that was true for you with this sweet baby.
Thanks so much for sharing this post ,Ann! “Mary,Did You Know?” Is one of my dad’s favorite Christmas songs! 🙂 I really enjoyed reading some of the history behind this well-known song! 🙂 🎄Luke 1:46-55🎄
Author
It’s one of my favorites too, Emily, although I’m like many of those who have responded to my newsletter in that it’s hard to pick just one favorite. There is so much beautiful Christmas music.
Thanks for sharing the story behind Mary Did You Know. This is confirmation to never give up on what God calls us to accomplish—in His time.
Author
God’s timing isn’t always man’s timing for sure, Debra. I’m sure there were times when Mark Lowry wondered if his song would ever be out there for people. And then, look what happened. In the article about him on Wikipedia, the song is one of the first things they mention.
All new to me, including the song. Loved the story. Thanks for doing the research, Ann.
Author
I hope you enjoyed being introduced to this beautiful song, Doris. It’s a powerful one and can make you think.
I’ve gotten to hear Buddy Greene sing “Mary, Did You Know?” in person! I do like knowing the stories behind the songs.
Author
That’s neat, Margaret. So I’m sure you already knew at least part of the story behind the song.
Our host on Thanksgiving played on his giant TV Mark Lowery singing this special song. Very powerful with the big TV speakers.
Hope you have a glorious Christmas.
Author
Then my post about the song was right on the button for you, Carol. Merry Christmas to you too.
I do enjoy knowing the story behind a song and didn’t know this . Thanks.
When I was in my late teens I was Mary in our church’s Christmas pageant . We used a real 1 month old baby for Baby Jesus. As my mother, the narrator, read “and she brought forth her first born son” this baby cried right on cue . People thought I pinched him ,but I can assure you I didn’t!
Author
That is such a great story, Darlene. But I’m glad you didn’t pinch the little fellow. 🙂 I’ve always wondered if Jesus was like any other baby or if even then he was completely different.
I didn’t know the story behind the song. It’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Glad you enjoyed the post, April. Hope you and yours have a great Christmas.
I love this song! It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs. Thanks for sharing the story behind it and the link to the video. I enjoy learning the backstories, especially of my favorite songs. 🙂
Author
Glad you enjoyed the back story. Back when they had the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, we used to go every year. Sometimes they had showcases you could go to during the day. My favorite was always the songwriters one where they shared stories about writing this or that popular song. Some songs are just gifts. Like The Lighthouse was. I suppose some stories are too and I’m hoping to start getting going on one of those gifts!!
It is nice to hear what prompted these God given talented people to write the lyrics and also the music to songs we listen to on a daily basis, especially this time of year. I’ll have to say that Mary Did You Know is my favorite “new” song. 😊 Mark seems like such a humble person. We had the privilege of hearing him sing Mary Did You Know in concert here on the coast about five years ago. That was the quietest I have ever heard an audience in a coliseum concert. 😊
Merry Christmas 🎄
Author
I’ve seen Mark Lowry perform too when he was with the Gaither Band. He’s a great comedian too. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing his solo shows or seeing him sing “Mary, Did You Know” in person. That’s interesting about the crowd being so touched by the song, Karen. It is a powerful song.