One of the most beautiful of the modern Christmas songs was written by a man who is best known, perhaps, as a comedian. His name is Mark Lowry.
Lowry is also a musician of some note. He performed for many years with the Gaither Vocal band. In 1984 he was asked to pen some words for his local church choir, and he wrote a poem that begins like this,
“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?”
A few years later guitarist Buddy Greene added a perfectly matching tune, and a wonderful song was born.
“Mary, did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? Mary, did you know when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God!”
Each of the little couplets touches the heart in a wonderful way.
“Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?”
The song’s been around now for nearly two decades. Listen for it on the radio. The most popular version is sung by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd. (“Mary, did you know . . . ?”)
How could Mary have known what was happening to her with all that would follow when the angel Gabriel came to her long ago? Only Luke tells this story, and we have it in today’s Gospel.
- Submitted by Fr. Joseph Dovari