Were you ever faced with life-changing news, “out of the blue”, that bestowed upon you a blessed revelation? Did you ever have occasion, at such times, to hear some “breaking news” that begins with such words as “Do you know?”, “Did you know?”, or “Have you heard about …?”
These days, I can admit that I don’t remember much about my Life experiences. (At times, that kind of “water under the bridge” serves as a blessing!) Yet I DO tend to retain essences of positive remembrances, even some vivid memories– like our family’s gatherings on Christmas Days of old.
My grandparents (my dad’s parents) would host Mom, Dad and me at their “Estate House” in the upscale Highland Park suburb of Dallas. The year I turned four, I arrived with one present already in hand; because that most desired gift had arrived magically in the night by the hand of never-seen “Santa”!
First thing in the morning, we three would share a big bowl of strawberries in the sun-lit “Breakfast Room” along with “Mammoo” (Grandmother’s accepted nickname, one that was phonated for her by me when I was age 2).
Fruit was our traditional morning fare, amidst anticipations of opening a robust collection of ready gifts set around a majestic, freshly-cut Christmas tree in the spacious Estate House living room.
Meanwhile, a full-course brunch was being prepared in the kitchen by Idella, my grandmother’s cook and housekeeper for many years. On Christmas days, Idella’s husband, “Barnaby”, would be there also — inspecting and grazing (bite by bite) on “the eats” — that is, until my grandfather (ie. “PooPoo”) would likely unearth a sudden need for Barnaby to make an appearance.
Then, when Barnaby would modestly present himself amidst us all, PooPoo would typically engage him by asking, “Barnaby, Do you know?”, “Did you know?”, or “Have you heard of …?”
Barnaby would (knowingly, with a twinkling eye) reply, “No, Sir … “But You Sir, Have You Heard?”
— At which time PooPoo would state, “Why Yes”. And he’d then proceed to deliver whatever witticism he had already prepared in mind.
After that, my devout Christian father lifted up the tone of our morning to one that honors the Nativity which Christmas signifies as an annuarium. Dad recounted the biblical story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who would hear widespread tales from wandering shepherds who, in their travels, ongoingly shared their direct experience of an Angel proclaiming “Good Tidings of Great Joy!” in adulation of the wondrous miracles that a man named Jesus was providing to the world.
And all of those who heard such fervent witness thereof were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Yet, Mary quietly “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
In good time, the shepherds journeyed through Bethlehem — all the while, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.” And while there, they discovered, with deep empathy, that Mary was the birth mother of Jesus. Hence, they were compelled to inquire of her in the spirit of these words (herein below):
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one 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 delivered has come to 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 the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the Face of God.
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?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Heaven’s perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child you are holding here is the great I AM.
Mary, did you know?
Here is a sublime vocal rendition of these words (Skip the ads) Click here.
Credits: Lyrics by Mark Lowry in 1984, Music by: Buddy Greene in 1991,
Modern rendition by pop vocal quintet: Pentatonix
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