When I think about Christmas and imaginatively put myself into the scene and into the lives of the people portrayed in the Scriptures, I am in awe and wonder at what they experienced. A quick reading of the story doesn’t come close to helping me understand the astonishing things they saw, heard, felt and lived. But an imaginative reading and meditation can bring startlingly fresh insights into what happened really happened.

Such was the experience of Mark Lowry whose reflection on Mary led to the writing of a song that has now become a modern Christmas classic and recorded by over thirty different artists. He wondered what Mary was thinking about as she held her baby and wondered if she understood what was to come. The questions formed his song, Mary Did You Know.

Mary Did You Know
by Mark Lowery

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some 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 that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh 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?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I AM.

This Christmas choose one of the characters surrounding the birth of Christ. Put yourself in their shoes. Imagine what their life was like. What were their hopes and fears? What did others think of them? And what did they feel in their hearts as this sacred event unfolded before their eyes? How did they feel toward God? How did it change them? Take your time, and take some time each day to do this. Encourage each person in your family to think about one character in this way and then share what they learned on Christmas Day.

May your days be filled with awe and wonder.

For more on the story behind this modern classic, click here.