Mary, Did you know?

[Papist]

[Selah]

Pentatonix did a nice cover of the song.

[KnightofChrist]

If we just ignore the lyrics the song can be sung quite beautifully. I just can't ignore the lyrics.

[Papist]

December is when my Protestant friends are ok with idolatry.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

I read Scott Hahn's blog criticizing "Mary Did You Know?" and I just don't understand the problems with the song. Scott Hahn even suggests that Catholics not listen to it. Huh? Is it THAT bad? Even after reading his blog, I don't see serious problems with it. Yes, Mary did know the answers to most of the questions posed in the song. Why is that a problem?

I would think that Catholics would be pleased that with the very secular nature of much of Christmas in the U.S., the Christmas song most listened to in 2015 on YouTube was Pentatonix's version of "Mary Did You Know?" with over 50 million views since it was released a little over a year ago. That's millions of people, many who aren't Christians, listening to a song that focuses on Mary and Jesus, rather than the fact that Grandma got run over by a reindeer.

If you have never heard Penatonix's version, here it is. It's gorgeous.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

And while I am mentioning Pentatonix, three days ago, they issued a beautiful new version of "The First Noel" that already has more than a million views on YouTube. I doubt all those million views were made by Christians. I think it's great that because of the beauty of the arrangement, all these viewers listened to a traditional Christmas hymn, rather than "Have a Holly, Jolly, Christmas." Here is a link  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u5UvnKlCTA

I happen to be a big fan of Pentatonix. I don't necessarily like all their songs, because, aside from their Christmas albums, most of their songs are in the pop genre, which is good for sales for them, but isn't my normal taste in music. However, Pentatonix has gotten me to like some current pop songs. It is very refreshing to hear pop music sung by people who are true musicians--the group sings a capella, so there are no instruments, autotune, synthesizers, or backing vocals. They sound the same singing live as in their recorded albums.

[PhuturePriest]

4 hours ago, IgnatiusofLoyola said:

I read Scott Hahn's blog criticizing "Mary Did You Know?" and I just don't understand the problems with the song. Scott Hahn even suggests that Catholics not listen to it. Huh? Is it THAT bad? Even after reading his blog, I don't see serious problems with it. Yes, Mary did know the answers to most of the questions posed in the song. Why is that a problem?

I would think that Catholics would be pleased that with the very secular nature of much of Christmas in the U.S., the Christmas song most listened to in 2015 on YouTube was Pentatonix's version of "Mary Did You Know?" with over 50 million views since it was released a little over a year ago. That's millions of people, many who aren't Christians, listening to a song that focuses on Mary and Jesus, rather than the fact that Grandma got run over by a reindeer.

If you have never heard Penatonix's version, here it is. It's gorgeous.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

And while I am mentioning Pentatonix, three days ago, they issued a beautiful new version of "The First Noel" that already has more than a million views on YouTube. I doubt all those million views were made by Christians. I think it's great that because of the beauty of the arrangement, all these viewers listened to a traditional Christmas hymn, rather than "Have a Holly, Jolly, Christmas." Here is a link  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u5UvnKlCTA

I happen to be a big fan of Pentatonix. I don't necessarily like all their songs, because, aside from their Christmas albums, most of their songs are in the pop genre, which is good for sales for them, but isn't my normal taste in music. However, Pentatonix has gotten me to like some current pop songs. It is very refreshing to hear pop music sung by people who are true musicians--the group sings a capella, so there are no instruments, autotune, synthesizers, or backing vocals. They sound the same singing live as in their recorded albums.

I recommend reading this to understand why. In the last several paragraphs it explains the issue beyond the initial explanations of the theological problems. 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2015/12/mary-did-you-know-faq.html

[Archaeology cat]

My only contribution to this thread - Kevin from Pentatonix is from my hometown, and I once saw his dad when my orthopedist initially didn't believe how much pain I was in and made me see a psychiatrist before he'd operate (like others in my family, MRI didn't show the extent of the problem - lucky me)

[PhuturePriest]

In short: yes, it is that bad. The Church reveres our Blessed Mother as the greatest non divine human being ever created. Over the centuries we built an entire theology around her, and this song seriously puts all of it into question. The song puts forth Protestant theology that Mary was like anyone else and was not given special knowledge or understanding, and we consider that to be a big deal. Catechesis is bad enough without legions of Catholics singing and developing Protestant theology about Mary. 

[vee]

Mama

" Kissing the Face of God"

[Selah]

I guess one could look at it as St. Gabriel singing this song to himself as he goes to tell Our Lady. It would make a nice musical number. 

Though, I do know that wasn't the writer's intention. Can someone link Scott Hahn's blog? I can't seem to find it.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

11 hours ago, PhuturePriest said:

In short: yes, it is that bad. The Church reveres our Blessed Mother as the greatest non divine human being ever created. Over the centuries we built an entire theology around her, and this song seriously puts all of it into question. The song puts forth Protestant theology that Mary was like anyone else and was not given special knowledge or understanding, and we consider that to be a big deal. Catechesis is bad enough without legions of Catholics singing and developing Protestant theology about Mary. 

Miles, I am seriously trying to understand the issue with this song. I believe you that there is a problem for Catholics, but I still don't understand why. Could you give more detail?

To me, the song is asking rhetorical questions, to which the answer is either "Yes" or "We can't know that yet." I never get the feeling that Mary didn't know many or most of the answers. When I used to run in Evangelical circles we certainly believed that Mary was given special understanding--you can't read the Gospels without realizing that. Granted there was not the emphasis on Mary that is seen in the Catholic church. But, to me, this song does not put Catholic theology into question. I liked Selah's idea that it might be the Angel Gabriel singing to Mary.

In any case, I have trouble with telling Catholics to avoid certain things, as if they are children who must be shielded. However, if a priest decides this song is not appropriate for Mass, that is fine. It's not as if there is a shortage of beautiful Christmas hymns to choose from.

And, I still think it is better for non-Christians to listen to this song than "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" which was the most popular Christmas song a few years back.

Selah--I'll try to find the Hahn link. It was one of the articles that we see before we click on the phorums. It was a couple of days ago.

8 hours ago, Selah said:

I guess one could look at it as St. Gabriel singing this song to himself as he goes to tell Our Lady. It would make a nice musical number. 

Though, I do know that wasn't the writer's intention. Can someone link Scott Hahn's blog? I can't seem to find it.

Selah--My bad. It wasn't Scott Hahn, it was Mark Shea.

Here is the link: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2015/12/mary-did-you-know-faq.html?ref_widget=popular&ref_blog=markshea&ref_post=c-s-lewis-secret-agent

[beatitude]

I do not know why we are spending time discussing 'Mary, Did You Know?' when 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' has been translated into Latin and sung as plainchant. That is all I have to say on the matter.

[veritasluxmea]

I liked this song when I first heard it, but I couldn't put my finger on why until this girl explained it: 

"Imagine it’s your birthday. You’ve had a really lovely afternoon with your best friend. You got coffee at your favorite shop, walked in the park, shared fond memories, talked for ages, fed ducks at the pond, the works. Then you’re walking home together, walk through your front door, and BOOM!

“SURPRISE!” All your friends are there in your living room, holding balloons and throwing confetti and there’s a gorgeous cake on the coffee table and a pile of presents and even sweet old grandma made the drive across town to be here for your special party.

You turn to your friend in delight and say, “did you know??”

Well, my sweet innocent starfish, of course your best friend knew. They spent all afternoon distracting you so others could set up the party. They were instrumental in this totally amesome thing happening. They knew all along. And, logically, you know they knew. But you’re so excited you can’t help but ask.

Did you know?

It’s a simple (and arguably stupid) question. But it comes from a place of innocence, a sudden transition into knowledge. You didn’t know about the surprise party, but now suddenly you do and everything is delightful and you just HAVE to know if your best friend KNEW about this amesome plan!

Mary knew. She knew it all. And when we sing “Mary, did you know?” We’re looking up at her with our big eyes and our childish wonder. We’re reciting prophecy and Bible passages that continue to blow us away: and they blew her away when she first heard them, too. But she’s listening to us with the sweetest smile on her face. She’s nodding, she’s embracing us, and she’s saying,

“Yes, my sweet child. I knew. And isn’t it wonderful?” "

The thing is, non-Catholic Christians don't have the understanding of a relationship with Mary to hear the song the same way I do. They tend to think of her as being a kind of bystander; she sinned, didn't have a unique relationship with Christ, had other children, is just a normal person in heaven, ect. The song shows that people are having an interest in her relationship with Christ nowadays but don't have the history or theological understanding of who she really is. So when listened that way the song gives off an ignorant vibe. But when listened to in the context of a relationship with Mary I like it. 

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

I love your explanation. From the first time I heard it, I loved this song, and saw it as a joyous celebration of all that Mary knew, and all the wonderful miracles that she knew she would experience in time (although she didn't know the specifics yet).

To innocent, non-Catholic me, this song is a tribute both to Mary and to who her newborn child was. 

I was genuinely surprised that the song was seen as being against Catholic theology, and I'm still waiting for an explanation that makes sense to me. (I know you tried FP, but your post felt like mostly a repeat of Mark Shea's conclusion, rather than what I was looking for, which was an alternate explanation of how he reached that conclusion.) Since I see the song as asking a rhetorical question, rather than asking because we assume that Mary didn't know (of course Mary knew, it's in the Gospels), I'm still having a hard time seeing the problem.

BTW, even though others doubt that Grandma got run over by a reindeer, as for me and Grandpa, we believe. Sorry, I can't get Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer out of my head--it's become an annoying earworm, no matter how many times I watch the new video of The First Noel by Pentatonix to try to force it out. Remember when you watch the video of The First Noel--which I recommend highly-- EVERY sound in the video, even the wind blowing at the beginning, is made by one of the five singers--no instruments or non-human sound effects AT ALL. Here's the link again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u5UvnKlCTA  It's up to 1.3 million views in 4 days.

Edited December 19, 2015 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[DominicanHeart]

A lot of the lyrics are nice minus a few. And I would rather hear it than like Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer as the previous poster said or even All I want for Christmas is you. So yeah its not horrible.