Today’s Reading: Luke 1:26-56
I’m not proud to admit it, but I’m one of “those people.” You know the ones – they start listening to Christmas music shortly after Halloween and just can’t get enough. I just love it so much that I can’t help it! All of the songs make me feel warm and fuzzy, even the songs that grind on my nerves a little bit. One of the songs that makes my eye twitch a little bit (but still can’t stop listening to) is “Mary, Did You Know?” I’d like to say that my frustration stems from some major theological disagreement – of course she knew! Go back and read all the things she is by the angel and other visitors and read her song in today’s scripture! – but really, I think I’m probably just tired of the never-ending “Mary… did you know…?” jokes that come my way each December.
This year, though, I’ve learned more about the song and it’s helped me to appreciate it more. “Mary, Did You Know?” began not as a song, but as a list of questions sparked by wonder. The song’s writer, Mark Lowry, read the story of Mary and of the birth of Christ and was deeply moved. He imagined what it would be like to sit and have coffee with Mary and what questions would fill his heart. Then, he wrote those questions as a poem, which eventually became the song as we know it.
I encourage you to listen to the song “Mary, Did You Know” and let it draw you into contemplation about the love and relationship between Mary and her newborn infant, Jesus. Then, I invite you to write your own verse. What questions would you have for Mary if you could sit with her?