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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
Thanks for sharing this Ann! What a talent, well, many talents Mark Lowry has! Wow!
Wow Thank you for researching this and sharing it. Thank you for sharing the video. Such a beautiful song. One of my top favorites. Have a blessed season.
I’m late replying, But WOW!!! Thank You for sharing this story. I’ve always loved this song but didn’t know the story nor heard this version. Absolutely Beautiful!! Merry Christmas!
This is a beautiful song. Thanks for sharing the history . I enjoy singing Christmas songs at church …..we only have a few weeks to enjoy them !
Author
Right, Nancy. I’m always a little disappointed that all the radio stations stop playing Christmas songs the day after Christmas. I think they should wait until New Year’s Day.
I really love that song and like hearing Mark Lowry sing it. However, my very favorite rendition is from Pentatonix. The a capella arrangement is stunning!
Author
Somebody shared that link with me on Facebook, Carol. That was probably you. And you are right. That rendition is amazing. The way they can use their voice to make the music adds so much to the words of the song.
One of my favorites! Always tugs at my heartstrings!
Author
Mine too, Judi. Makes you think about Mary and the amazing path the Lord chose her to walk.
I also like Mary Did You Know. It had beautiful words. I think my favorite though is Joy To The World. It has such a pretty tune. I always feel uplifted when I sing that song.
Author
We sang “Joy to the World” this morning in church, Brenda. It’s my favorite Christmas carol. Our pianist told about one church she used to attend where the songleader had them sing it in July. I think I’ll do that next July if I can remember. There’s no reason “Joy to the World” couldn’t be an any time of the year song.
I know I am on your newsletter list but I can’t find it in my inbox or spam. Is there a way to check if I am still on the list? Thanks, Linda
Love Anthony Burger’s accompaniment to Mary Did You Know on the video you shared and enjoyed learning new info about the song. It is special to learn facts about songs and what inspired the writer. Thanks for sharing.
Author
I noticed that was Anthony Burger too, Linda. He’s another one with an amazing story and also a guy that died way too young. But he used the time the Lord gave him blessing meany people. Also, I’ll check on your address on my newsletter list. Sometimes newsletters do go into the spam folders instead of landing in your e-mail box. Before I do that I’ll just forward a copy your way. I sent one to my yahoo mailbox and it never showed up. I have to use a different address for the newsletters to send correctly.
Just beautiful! Thank you for telling us the history behind this amazing song. This is the first time I have heard Mark Lowry sing. What a voice God has blessed him with and I also pray he will continue to sing God’s praises.
Author
Mark is quite a talent and I think he’s still singing solo concerts, Judi. He’s also a super talent comedian and when he used to sing with the Gaithers, the group he’s with in the video, you never knew what he’d say next to get the crowd laughing. I’ll have to do a post sometime on some of his funny stuff. 🙂
“Mary, Did You Know” is also my favorite Christmas song!
Author
I’ve been a little surprised by how many people have picked that as a favorite song, Linda Diane. Isn’t it great how God can use one man’s talents to touch so many with a vision of Christmas?
Wonderful story.
Love learning the history behind music.
Author
Thanks, Denise. Maybe I’ll do another song next week.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for your research! I love reading things like this and the inspirational thinking. You are a wonder Ann!
Your admirer in NC- Karen
Author
Thank you so much, Karen, but I don’t feel like such a wonder. Sometimes I’m more at the I wonder what I’m going to do next stage. 🙂 But I appreciated having a reading friend down in NC. Beautiful state.
I so love hearing the stories behind Christian songs and hymns. Isn’t God good to give a good man this song? I do enjoy Mark Lowry. Hope He keeps him singing for a long time!
Author
So do I, Marilyn. Mark is a talented guy and so much fun to watch do his shows.