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Mary Did You Know? w/CD by Lowry Mark (2007) Hardcover
Includes a CD recording of this popular Christmas Hymn along with the composer's comments on the history of its words. An inscription page, and a gift card are included.
Hardcover
First published October 20, 1998
About the author
Mark Lowry
31 books12 followersMark Lowry was born in Houston, Texas to Charles, an attorney, and Beverly Lowry. He often uses anecdotes of his young life in his comedy, as well as speaking of his experience with hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder in his performances. Lowry is a self-described "Poster Boy for Hyperactivity".
While attending Liberty Baptist College (now known as Liberty University), Lowry joined a college evangelistic team made of Charles Hughes and David Musselman and began singing. Lowry's comedy career inadvertently began from here. There would be an elongated pause in his singing performance while he waited for the soundtrack to be changed. Lowry began to fill this pause with a monologue. Lowry soon realized that the audiences at his performances were laughing not at him but at his monologues.
In 1978, Lowry was badly injured in an car accident near Carlisle, PA, while touring with a college evangelistic team. He sustained eleven broken bones, and spent a good deal of time in physical therapy recovering from the accident.
In 1988, Lowry was approached by Bill Gaither and asked to join the Gaither Vocal Band as the baritone. Lowry's career with the Gaither Vocal Band spanned thirteen years during his first stint with the group. During this time Lowry's on-stage antics became popular with audiences. As a result, Lowry became the co-host of the many concerts and shows performed by Gaither and the Vocal Band with Gaither playing the straight man to Lowry's antics. In June 2001, Lowry resigned from the Gaither Vocal Band after performing longer with the group than any previous member except Bill Gaither himself. After that, Lowry released several solo albums, including I Love to Tell the Story, A Hymns Collection.
On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Lowry would be returning to the Gaither Vocal Band.
Mark Lowry currently resides in Houston, TX. Lowry is single and has no children. He has two siblings – an older brother Mike of Lynchburg, Virginia and a younger sister, Melissa "Missy" L. Carter also of Lynchburg. He also has three nieces and three nephews.
While attending Liberty Baptist College (now known as Liberty University), Lowry joined a college evangelistic team made of Charles Hughes and David Musselman and began singing. Lowry's comedy career inadvertently began from here. There would be an elongated pause in his singing performance while he waited for the soundtrack to be changed. Lowry began to fill this pause with a monologue. Lowry soon realized that the audiences at his performances were laughing not at him but at his monologues.
In 1978, Lowry was badly injured in an car accident near Carlisle, PA, while touring with a college evangelistic team. He sustained eleven broken bones, and spent a good deal of time in physical therapy recovering from the accident.
In 1988, Lowry was approached by Bill Gaither and asked to join the Gaither Vocal Band as the baritone. Lowry's career with the Gaither Vocal Band spanned thirteen years during his first stint with the group. During this time Lowry's on-stage antics became popular with audiences. As a result, Lowry became the co-host of the many concerts and shows performed by Gaither and the Vocal Band with Gaither playing the straight man to Lowry's antics. In June 2001, Lowry resigned from the Gaither Vocal Band after performing longer with the group than any previous member except Bill Gaither himself. After that, Lowry released several solo albums, including I Love to Tell the Story, A Hymns Collection.
On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Lowry would be returning to the Gaither Vocal Band.
Mark Lowry currently resides in Houston, TX. Lowry is single and has no children. He has two siblings – an older brother Mike of Lynchburg, Virginia and a younger sister, Melissa "Missy" L. Carter also of Lynchburg. He also has three nieces and three nephews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 24, 2017
"This sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am." (4.5 stars)
This illustrated book is a nice quality edition to have around if you are a Christian believer. The text of the iconic song is offset by biblical passages that are the source of the song lyrics’ references. It is a nice touch.
It also features illustrations by Phil Boatwright that put me in the mind of those paintings you use to see in churches. The ones that became cultural touchstones, but are not all that historically accurate. Very beautiful though.
This edition also features a Forward by Gloria Gaither, that is (like most of her writing) simple and profound all at once. There is also a letter from the song’s lyricist, Mark Lowry, on his inspiration for the text and a little back-story on its creation. A nice add on feature.
This is a lovely edition to add to your library and a perfect text to illustrate the nativity story to children & adults during the Christmas season.
This illustrated book is a nice quality edition to have around if you are a Christian believer. The text of the iconic song is offset by biblical passages that are the source of the song lyrics’ references. It is a nice touch.
It also features illustrations by Phil Boatwright that put me in the mind of those paintings you use to see in churches. The ones that became cultural touchstones, but are not all that historically accurate. Very beautiful though.
This edition also features a Forward by Gloria Gaither, that is (like most of her writing) simple and profound all at once. There is also a letter from the song’s lyricist, Mark Lowry, on his inspiration for the text and a little back-story on its creation. A nice add on feature.
This is a lovely edition to add to your library and a perfect text to illustrate the nativity story to children & adults during the Christmas season.
December 16, 2019
Song with a beautiful message. Nicely illustrated. You and your kids could sing along with the story.
December 14, 2024
I love this song and the illustrations in this edition are gorgeous and show so much of who Jesus is.
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December 31, 2020
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
"Mary said, ‘My soul declares that the Lord is great, my spirit exults in my saviour, my God...His mercy extends from father to son, from mother to daughter for those who fear him.'" (Luke 1:46, 50 NTE)
Setting aside the fact that Mary absolutely knew, probably much more than lyricist Mark Lowry ever could, I've always enjoyed this song. It never fails to make me feel the joy of the Incarnation, and meditate on the story in a new way. We evangelicals so rarely get anything Mary-related that I treasure each reference to her at Christmas.
Phil Boatwright's illustrations are marvelous: "is Lord of all creation" pictures Jesus holding a small bird and the Triumphal Entry illustrates "will one day rule the nations." Of course, everyone in this book is Very White, and thus Completely Historically Inaccurate. While there is great value in imaging the Incarnation in one's own culture, such portrayals should be the artistic minority, and representations that work at historical accuracy should be the most common. Jesus was born into a minority culture under the rule of a wealthy, powerful majority culture. He was a refugee in toddlerhood, and ineffectively silenced by the conservative religious elite. When we lose the geographically accurate skin color, we lose much of the Christmas story. Say what you will about Jesus and his divinity and/or humanity, but there is no historical question regarding whether Jesus existed, and thus he deserves faithful representation. I'll never see Einstein pictured as Italian or Alexander the Great as Han, so why am I seeing so much of Caucasian Jesus with Beard™? My husband and I have committed to only having historically accurate Nativity displays, which means...we don't have a Nativity display yet. Help us, Brown Jesus!
I'm not sure how well Mary, Did You Know? would work as a read-aloud with littles, given that the lyrics are all yes or no questions. However, adults like me who enjoy the song are sure to enjoy the book. On Christmas Eve, my mom read this book to my grandmother who has severe dementia while the song played in the background. Picturing Jesus as a living, breathing person--regardless of skin tone--is important, and I'm ever grateful that Mary, Did You Know? helped her do that this Christmas season.
Would save our sons and daughters?
"Mary said, ‘My soul declares that the Lord is great, my spirit exults in my saviour, my God...His mercy extends from father to son, from mother to daughter for those who fear him.'" (Luke 1:46, 50 NTE)
Setting aside the fact that Mary absolutely knew, probably much more than lyricist Mark Lowry ever could, I've always enjoyed this song. It never fails to make me feel the joy of the Incarnation, and meditate on the story in a new way. We evangelicals so rarely get anything Mary-related that I treasure each reference to her at Christmas.
Phil Boatwright's illustrations are marvelous: "is Lord of all creation" pictures Jesus holding a small bird and the Triumphal Entry illustrates "will one day rule the nations." Of course, everyone in this book is Very White, and thus Completely Historically Inaccurate. While there is great value in imaging the Incarnation in one's own culture, such portrayals should be the artistic minority, and representations that work at historical accuracy should be the most common. Jesus was born into a minority culture under the rule of a wealthy, powerful majority culture. He was a refugee in toddlerhood, and ineffectively silenced by the conservative religious elite. When we lose the geographically accurate skin color, we lose much of the Christmas story. Say what you will about Jesus and his divinity and/or humanity, but there is no historical question regarding whether Jesus existed, and thus he deserves faithful representation. I'll never see Einstein pictured as Italian or Alexander the Great as Han, so why am I seeing so much of Caucasian Jesus with Beard™? My husband and I have committed to only having historically accurate Nativity displays, which means...we don't have a Nativity display yet. Help us, Brown Jesus!
I'm not sure how well Mary, Did You Know? would work as a read-aloud with littles, given that the lyrics are all yes or no questions. However, adults like me who enjoy the song are sure to enjoy the book. On Christmas Eve, my mom read this book to my grandmother who has severe dementia while the song played in the background. Picturing Jesus as a living, breathing person--regardless of skin tone--is important, and I'm ever grateful that Mary, Did You Know? helped her do that this Christmas season.
November 24, 2025
I have had this book forever but had forgotten about it. I found it in a box in my storage room. I read it and was completely convicted of my lack of understanding. I don't remember reading this previously. It was so incredible. It goes through each line of the song with Scriptures so that you can get a sense of when Mary and Jesus both realized, as His life unfolded, what His true purpose here was. That must have been extraordinarily difficult for them.
December 29, 2019
The first read through, I sung the song, for Mary, Did You Know is surely one of the most popular Christmas songs of our day. The second read, I read the Bible verses along with the text (lyrics). Each Bible verse supports the text. The illustrations are all absolutely stunning works of art. This book is a beautiful addition to any home’s Christmas book collection.
January 4, 2022
The lyrics from the song of the same title set to beautiful illustrations with scripture references.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
(John 12:47) Jesus said, “I have come to save the world.”
I think the book would be even more enjoyable to flip through while listening to the song. As a read-aloud to children, it was a little clunky.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
(John 12:47) Jesus said, “I have come to save the world.”
I think the book would be even more enjoyable to flip through while listening to the song. As a read-aloud to children, it was a little clunky.
December 28, 2018
One of our Christmas favorites, equally because of the beautiful words (lyrics, really, as the words are taken directly from the song of the same name) and the vibrant illustrations. This makes our "to read" list every year.
November 23, 2021
I enjoyed this read. The true reason for Christmas. Also the song is truly beautiful. The music and the words are touching to the soul. I liked the thought process of this little book. What did Mary really know about her child.
December 15, 2022
Like so many, this song has become my favorite of newer Christmas songs. This very short book is a great way to pause and experience the birth of Christ via the song lyrics and thoughts from the writer of the song and others.
December 20, 2017
Great book
Easy to play. Very powerful song. Bought this to play for my church before the start of service. Wish kindle had more Christian piano music sheets.
Easy to play. Very powerful song. Bought this to play for my church before the start of service. Wish kindle had more Christian piano music sheets.
December 23, 2018
I read the version illustrated by Mark Boatwright. The images are beautiful.
December 12, 2022
The only thing more beautiful than these song lyrics are the gorgeous illustrations in this book.
December 21, 2023
Lyrics of the famous song, with a one page intro by the author. Each line is illustrated on a separate page.
April 16, 2025
A very uplifting book about our Savior. I pray you know Him🙏 I chose this book to fit a prompt in The 52 Book Club Challenge 2025 March Mini Challenge.
November 7, 2025
Gorgeous book!
March 10, 2017
A powerful message, beautifully written!
September 24, 2025
“Mary, Did You Know? The Story of God’s Great Plan” written by Mark Lowry and illustrated by Phil Boatwright (Copyright 1998, Waterbrook Press) uses lyrics from the popular song, Scripture references, and stunning illustrations to describe the birth, life, and miracles of Christ through the eyes of Mary as she raised God’s son. This review was originally published as part of my "Picture Book Favorites for Christmas" blog post at www.cindyovercast.com.
December 9, 2012
The cover on my book is different (Even more beautiful) and my copy doesn't have a CD. But this is an absolutely beautiful book that illustrates the Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?" It includes scriptures and a foreword and introduction that give even more meaning to the song and tells how it was written. A wonderful book for this season of the year.
December 16, 2023
The text in this book is simply the lyrics to the popular song of the same title, along with some verses of scripture that go with the words. The enjoyment of this book come primarily in the beautiful art by Phil Boatwright illustrating moments in Jesus’ life and ministry. Maybe a better book for display than for story time.
November 19, 2010
This is a thoroughly enjoyed this small book. The book has the lyrics of the song "Mary did you Know?". But the book goes beyond the song and talks about Jesus's life. This lovely book comes with the CD. I listen to this CD over and over again.
October 12, 2011
Absolutely gorgeous picture book from Mark Lowry featuring the story to his popular Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?" Beautiful illustrations accompany the words to his song along with Scripture passages to ponder for each line of the song.
December 1, 2014
A favorite Christmas song, expanded into a beautiful little book about the mother of Jesus. Mary isn't just the young woman who gave birth in a stable, she was His mom. She held Him, rocked Him, taught Him.
May 20, 2008
Gorgeous illustrations. Thought provoking story about the true meaning of Christmas.
November 16, 2009
Another timeless book for your Christmas Library.
November 27, 2010
I especially like this version because of the forward at the beginning...it makes me cry overtime.
December 17, 2012
A nice addition to my Christmas story book collection. The song is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs.
April 7, 2013
Love the picture of Jesus holding the lamb. So beautiful!
December 29, 2013
I love the song that this book is based on SO much!!
We were privileged to see Mark in concert on November 17th and I got this book autographed.
This book is sooo good!
We were privileged to see Mark in concert on November 17th and I got this book autographed.
This book is sooo good!
December 22, 2015
The True meaning of Christmas in a song most of us know! Nice Pictures, and the forwards the author and composer was interesting. (oddly the illustrator doesn't have a forward...)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews