Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 (ESV)
Imagine a supernal light blanketing the earth and a celestial choir praising God in perfect harmony. Believe it or not, it happened. One starry night thousands of years ago, an angelic being, surrounded by light and a multitude of angels, materialized before the eyes of human beings, proclaiming the best news of all time.
By God’s power, an angel of the Lord emerged before a gathering of shepherds in a field full of sheep. This angel spoke heavenly news about the birth of Christ the Savior to mortals. Scripture declares a heavenly host praised God with the words recorded in Luke 2:14. Shock? Amazement? Curiosity? I’m sure emotions ran high as the shepherds experienced a miracle. And excitement increased as they ran in search of the baby. Arriving in Bethlehem, the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the babe in a manger. Seeing proof of the angel’s news validated what they had heard—truth of a Savior’s birth announced to all who would listen.
Nine months prior a young virgin named Mary, betrothed to a man named Joseph, had experienced a miracle. The angel Gabriel appeared to her because she had found favor with God. The angel said she would conceive a son to be named Jesus, the Son of the Most High whose kingdom would never end. How, she wondered, could this be possible? The angel said the Holy Spirit would come upon her and overshadow her. She would conceive a child called holy, the Son of God. Mary’s response? Let it be to me according to your word, for I am the servant of the Lord, and she praised God through a song called The Magnificat.
Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
In humility Mary praised God, understanding who she was and who He is. Her song recounts His mercy and strength to all who would fear Him. She proclaimed all He had done in the past, recalling how He helped all of Israel from Abraham to her, not because of their goodness but because of His mercy. She rejoiced in God her Savior for what He had done and what He would do through her.
Reading Mary’s song of praise caused me to remember my past and all that God has done for me. Throughout my entire life, struggles and all, God has shown mercy to me not because of my goodness, but because of His goodness.
I searched for some music to praise my Heavenly Father and came across praise and worship songs from the 90’s. Scenes from our family’s past flashed through my mind and a flood of memories reminded me how Jesus had been with me through all our ups and downs. I humbled myself before a Mighty God who has been my Wonderful Counselor, my Prince of Peace, and my Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6) and I praised His holy name.
God selected Mary to be the mother of a special baby. He would be called the Son of the Most High and His name would be Jesus. This Jesus is the One we celebrate this season. He is the One we sing to through hymns, songs, and spiritual songs written centuries ago (Colossians 3:16). Old songs or new ones, we continue to praise our Savior Jesus with the wonderful gift of music.
Are there songs from your past that help you recall the wonder and majesty of Almighty God? Do you find Christmas carols warming your heart during this season of hope? Hold closely to all these hymns and spiritual songs and praise Jesus after Christmas. Sing throughout the new year, recalling and telling others of what He has done.
Your past, present, and future is in Jesus' hands and He is faithful to walk beside you. Immanuel, the name meaning God is with us, came to earth to show us His ways and to save us all from our sins. Sing His praises.
In the farthest corners of the earth the glorious acts of God shall startle everyone. The dawn and sunset shout for joy! Psalm 65:8 (TLB)