Lord of All Creation

843 Acres Advent: Mary, Did You Know?
BY BETHANY

Song requested by a Facebook fan in Missouri and text requested by an email subscriber in New York. 

The Text

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

The Story 

When Mark Lowry was a child, he was hyperactive and nonathletic, but he loved performing on stage. When he was only ten years old, he sang in front of 15,000 gospel music fans at the National Quartet Convention, where Benson Records signed him. Today, Mark is a singer, comedian, and songwriter.

In 1986, when Mark was 26 years old, his pastor in Houston asked him to write the program for the living Christmas tree production. Since the choir was singing traditional carols, Mark was writing bridges to connect the songs. While working, he began to wonder what Mary’s perspective might have been. “When I wrote this thing about Mary,” he recalled, “I began thinking I was interviewing her on her thoughts of being a mother to Jesus. A couple of the lines I wrote really stood out, like, ‘when you kiss your little baby, you’ve kissed the face of God.’ I just thought this needed to be a song.” [1] He wrote the words, however, and had no tune.

Four years later, Bill Gaither was looking for a new baritone for the Gaither Vocal Band. After watching a video of Mark performing, he thought that Mark would be a vibrant and fun addition to the group. Bill invited him to join, and Mark packed his bags. Then, after two years, Buddy Green joined the band. Since Buddy was a talented songwriter, Mark decided to solicit his help. He shared the words of his poem and attached a note: “Buddy, here are some God-inspired words. Please add some beautiful music and make it a profitable hit.” Mark the humorist was kidding, but Buddy did what his friend asked. He set the poem to music a few weeks later and then called Mark on the phone to sing it. Within a week, they recorded it.

On a personal note, Mark lost his own mother, Bev Lowry, a few weeks ago on Monday, December 2. On his Facebook page, Mark wrote, “Mama went home to be with The Lord tonight. She was eating dinner at the nursing home and her heart stopped. She’s with Jesus now. Please pray for my sweet daddy. Mama’s last words were, ‘I’m going to the light on the other side.’” [2]

The Lyrics

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.