| Over the past several years I have heard a song played with increasing frequency. The song is called Mary, Did You Know? It's hugely popular in Christian circles, having been recorded by a bushel of Christian recording artists (plus a few mainstream artists like Kenny Rogers). This song, while loved by many, grates on my nerves. Not because it isn't lyrically aesthetic, or poor-intentioned, but because it's theologically and doctrinally errant. I've pulled the lyrics: Mary, did you know That your baby boy Would someday walk on water? Mary did you know That your baby boy Will 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 Will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know That your baby boy Will calm the storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby You've kissed the face of God. 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 Will 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 Depending on your doctrinal orientation, you may or may not find a problem with the lyrics to this song. Given my understanding of the role of Mary, and her special relationship with God, I do. From Luke 2: 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. Of course Mary knew! How could Mary, through the visitation of the Holy Spirit and then the prophesies of Simeon and Anna not have known? The section that I object to the most is the following: Did you know / That your baby boy / Has come to make you new? / This child that you've delivered / Will soon deliver you. Mary had already been delivered, years before the birth of Christ. Immaculately conceived, in fact. He was not to "soon deliver" Mary. He already had, before He was incarnated. Mary, did you know? Of course you did. Why should we question? Pax.
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