Christmas is a time for singing joyful songs from movie classics like White Christmas and traditional carols like Silent Night and Jingle Bells. This Christmas I invite you to explore the four ancient songs found in the gospel of Luke that celebrate the coming of Jesus.
The first is Mary's song known as The Magnificat (Latin for “magnifies”) which comes from the first line of Mary’s song in Luke 1:46: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Mary magnified the Lord for His mercy toward her in providing her with a Savior, Jesus Christ, the very child she would bear.
The second is Zechariah’s song known as the Benedictus (Latin for “blessed be”) and the first words uttered by Zechariah when he blessed God at the birth of his son, John the Baptist from Luke 1:67. Zechariah blessed God for his faithfulness to his promise to bring forth a son who would prepare the way for Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The third is Simeon’s song known as the Nunc Dimittis (Latin for “now master”) and the words spoken by Simeon as he held the infant Jesus in the temple. This is from Luke 2:25-35. Simeon thanked God for providing the hope of mankind, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
The fourth is the Heavenly Host’s song in Luke 2:14 sung to the startled shepherds by the angelic choir announcing the birth of Jesus Christ, the one who would bring peace on earth. We are familiar with its lyrics in Handa's Messiah, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, glory to God in the highest.
These songs reflect the good news that God is merciful and has revealed his mercy through the coming of His Son Jesus Christ to bear our sins on the cross and rise from the dead, ascending into Heaven and granting all those who repent and believe in Him the gift of singing a new song to the Lord.
May that be your song this Christmas season. We invite you to join us in singing the song of the Lord at our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6 p.m. in the Miami Lakes Middle School auditorium as we conclude our Advent series preaching the Heavenly Host’s song from Luke 2:14.