Mary, Did You Know?

[pnewton]

I get bugged every year to sing this song by the kids. I decided I would take time out to answer these supposedly rhetorical questions. I say that because some have clear answers, and some have answers we probably know, though these answers may not agree with what the author intended.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

No. She lacked omniscience of the details of the life of Jesus.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Yes

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Not actually true. The question assumes a linear understanding of time and does not recognize the Immaculate Conception.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

No

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand?

No

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?

Not actually true. Jesus had not ascended, so the past tense is an error. Jesus, as the Incarnate Word of God, had a point in which he entered time and history (splitting it in two, by the way, BC and AD)

When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Yes

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.

No

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Probably

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Yes

Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?

Probably

The sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.

Yes

%between%

 

[pnewton]

Some of the Yeses and Probably’s might be debatable. Some, not so much unless you depart from Catholic Mariology. In any case, I am not singing the song. I am very happy for all of you the like it. It is melodious and I am picky. There is no heresy though. How can there be? There are only questions.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

It is only a song meant to entertain. It isn’t Catholic dogma and not sung in churches. In a sense it introduces some of the mysteries to the children and to less informed or instructed. While it is not my favorite song, I rank it with the Little Drummer Boy. I enjoy them both, but do not get hyper over songs that are intended for the art of thinking and loving the season.

Know what I think is far worse than an inaccurate dogmatic song? It is the over-advertising of alcohol and whiskies at and during the Christmas season, as if alcohol were a needed ingredient for celebrating the birth of the Christ Child.

 

[Gertabelle]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I hate the song personally, but mostly because it just sounds whiny to me. I am very persnickety about my musical choices. That’s right, I’m a music snob :dts:

Anyway, this part:

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 might have known this because she would have been familiar with the prophecy in Isaiah (35:5ff).

Have a blessed Christmas!

 

[Gertabelle]

It is only a song meant to entertain. It isn’t Catholic dogma and not sung in churches.

Sorry, no. One of our music groups sings this song before mass every Christmas – ick. We’re heading to the cathedral. Here’s hoping that they don’t sing it there

 

[pianistclare]

It is only a song meant to entertain. It isn’t Catholic dogma and not sung in churches. In a sense it introduces some of the mysteries to the children and to less informed or instructed. While it is not my favorite song, I rank it with the Little Drummer Boy. I enjoy them both, but do not get hyper over songs that are intended for the art of thinking and loving the season.

Know what I think is far worse than an inaccurate dogmatic song? It is the over-advertising of alcohol and whiskies at and during the Christmas season, as if alcohol were a needed ingredient for celebrating the birth of the Christ Child.

it is sung in every Catholic church around here. I loathe the song.
But in a survey, about 33% of the Catholics on CAF listed it as one of their all time faves.
Blech.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Sorry, no. One of our music groups sings this song before mass every Christmas – ick. We’re heading to the cathedral. Here’s hoping that they don’t sing it there

Before mass and not during mass; there is a difference.

 

[DaveBj]

Well, we almost made it thru the season without a “Mary, Did You Know” thread

 

[pianistclare]

Before mass and not during mass; there is a difference.

It’s bad wherever you put it.

 

[Gertabelle]

Before mass and not during mass; there is a difference.

Sorry. I misunderstood what you meant by “in church” to mean anytime, not just during mass.

Anyway, God bless you and have a wonderful, blessed Christmas season!!

 

[Gertabelle]

Well, we almost made it thru the season without a “Mary, Did You Know” thread

Never gonna happen – a year without this thread

Perhaps the OP started it just to make sure we didn’t go without one this year

Christmas blessings!!

 

[adrift]

Never gonna happen – a year without this thread

Perhaps the OP started it just to make sure we didn’t go without one this year

Christmas blessings!!

At least there hasn’t been a thread that Christmas trees are idols

 

[DaveBj]

Never gonna happen – a year without this thread

Perhaps the OP started it just to make sure we didn’t go without one this year

Christmas blessings!!

Back atcha. I take “MDYK” for what it is – the expression of wonder on the part of a fervent Protestant Christian about just how much Mary did know. Those who are interested can find a video on YouTube where the lyricist, Mark Lowery, explains the background.

At least there hasn’t been a thread that Christmas trees are idols

 

[graciew]

Mr PNewton ! Way to dissect a song !! Hahaha
You can throw tomatoes at me( well ,it ’ s a saying…please don ’ t) but I love it ! Same as Joseph s song… It draws to the human side of these two lovable persons. Not that I have heard them during Mass but while driving and they are beautiful for me.
Merry Christmas and tons of peace !!

 

[graciew]

It’s bad wherever you put it.

Even at breaktime ,Miss Claire…? Please…please just at breaktime and we insist no more…
Merry Christmas ,Claire !!

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

It’s a Protestant attempt to acknowledge Mary. It fails miserably. It is theologically a song that could be considered anti Catholic. When a Catholic parish sings this I cringe…

 

[pnewton]

Mr PNewton ! Way to dissect a song !! Hahaha
You can throw tomatoes at me( well ,it ’ s a saying…please don ’ t) but I love it !!

Oh, I know it is pretty and melodic. I like dissecting things so that they* can* be safely enjoyed. It is good to occasionally reflect on the words we used, then enjoy the song, if you like it. I am the same way about biblical movies. It is good to be aware of that which is artistic license, that which is accurate and that which is wrong. I could be raked over the coals I am sure for Jesus Christ, Superstar. I love the music, but the movie was wrong about some things. However, I only enjoy it at home.

I did not know there was a thread every year. I either have not participated in some of them, or I am getting a touch senile.

 

[Gertabelle]

If we’re looking for a protestant Christmas song that focuses on our Blessed Mother, may I recommend this one:

“Mary’s Song” by Petra

We sang this song before Christmas Eve mass when I was in middle/high school (early 1980’s). It’s stuck with me all these years because I just love the lyrics. Well, maybe not the last verse – “He’s the One that gonna shine!”

Happy Feast of St Stephen and second day in the Octave of Christmas!

 

[exnihilo]

I don’t like the song and didn’t as a Protestant. It seems to me a perfect example of a song designed to claw at emotions. I think you could even say it reflects a serious problem with modern Protestantism: there are lots of questions and very few answers. Some might think I’m going too far. But in my experience without an authority the great diversity of opinions leads to a theology, even in song, that doesn’t assert much or at least that isn’t deep.

Know what I think is far worse than an inaccurate dogmatic song? It is the over-advertising of alcohol and whiskies at and during the Christmas season, as if alcohol were a needed ingredient for celebrating the birth of the Christ Child.

I get your point, but alcohol is necessary. We need wine for Mass! I say that only half joking because the topic being a Protestant song many will not celebrate with even their form of communion.

 

[KevinAK]

At least there hasn’t been a thread that Christmas trees are idols

Not yet, anyway/