Happy Christmas

Experiencing Christmas through 3 different songs this year. 

First, Mary's song in Luke 1

⁴⁶ And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has been mindful    of the humble state of his servant.

Mary starts her song by glorifying God – because He has given her a child and fulfilled His promises to her and Israel. In Isaiah 42:8, the Lord says “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other”. God Himself is full of glory, we cannot give Him more glory, than what He already has. When we glorify God, we are acknowledging His greatness, declaring His magnificence to others, and giving weight to Him. For all that He is and all that He has done. May we as Paul exhorts in 1 Cor 10:31, "whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we do it all for the glory of God.”

Mary’s spirit rejoices in God her Savior. This is a peculiar response, if you consider her circumstances from the human point of view. There she is, a single teenage girl carrying a baby. What would others say at that time and in that culture? But yet as she considers God’s plan of salvation through her, she rejoices in God her Savior. In the Bible, rejoicing is more often a command. An exhortation and a choice, than a description of what was happening. It is often in the context of trials and suffering. In our life, there will undoubtedly be trials, sacrifice, suffering, heartache, pain and tears. During those times, may we hold on to joy, by keeping our eyes on God and not our circumstances. To rejoice in hope, because God is our Savior. 

Mary glorified the Lord and rejoiced in God her Savior, because God has been mindful of her. He has looked on her, His eyes are on her. Likewise, Immanuel assures us that God is mindful of us. His eyes are on us. He looks upon us with such joy, such love, such compassion, such worth.And He has given us His Son to prove that. That He was willing to send His only Son from His side, to give Him up for us all. And if He is willing to do that for you, how will He not also graciously give us all things that we need for life and godliness. 

Second, Simeon's song in Luke 2, after he meets Jesus

²⁸ And Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying ²⁹ Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace ³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." 

Simeon's single life long dream to see Jesus has always moved me. For him, to live is to see Christ. And when he has laid eyes on the Savior, experienced God's fulfillment of His promise to him, he was ready to depart. Talk about the sufficiency of Christ. We have that and so much more, may that be enough for me!

Third, Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Chancing upon this carol during family worship has been special. It is God's special personal song for me this year. In light of the war in Ukraine, of all that is still wrong with this world, the poet's honest wrestling during the Christmas season rings true for so many today. 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along
    The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
    A voice, a chime,
    A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
    "For hate is strong,
    And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The Wrong shall fail,
    The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."