It was written in 1984.
Mark Lowry wrote the words and Buddy Greene the music.
Here they are performing it together.
First of all, it’s a beautiful melody. Second of all, its words are worshipful. And it isn’t so much what Mary knew or didn’t know. She was certainly obedient, and I think you and I have the opportunity to see and appreciate the bigger picture now than she likely did back then, but even we don’t know the story completely — and won’t in this lifetime, and possibly ever. This is the nature of God. He reveals himself as he chooses and we know what he chooses to reveal.
I know there are people who don’t like this song, just like I know there are people who don’t like every other song ever composed and performed, and that is fine. It is fair based on our backgrounds to have different musical tastes, but there is always the risk that our cynical sides can blind us to messages that are truly profound and potentially transformative. And one of these messages for millions is remembered every Christmas season. Perhaps this was Jesus’s point about needing to become as little children.
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.