Biblical Christmas Carols - Mary's Song

Christmas music is a staple of the season. And there is no doubt that some of the most beautiful songs of the season are centered around Christ’s birth like Silent Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Away in a Manger. The Bible also offers some songs in the way of Christ’s birth as well. Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at some of the first songs used to praise Christ on those earliest Christmases.

Luke 1:
_46b "My soul glorifies the Lord
₄₇and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
₄₈for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
₄₉for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name.
₅₀His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
₅₁He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
₅₂He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
₅₃He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
₅₄He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
₅₅to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

I’ve been blessed with three beautiful children, one within just the past few months. If there’s one word that could be used to describe the birth of a child, it’s anticipation. When will the actual day be that the birth happens on and what time? Will they be healthy? What will they look like? What will they grow up to be like? Will I be a good parent?

No one has probably ever been in a situation like Mary. First, she was a virgin, not even yet married! Then she was told that not only would she give birth to a healthy boy, remember, there were no ultrasounds around back then, but that she would be giving birth to the Savior of mankind. Everything she needed to know about her son was laid out by prophets over hundreds of years. People had made careers in preparing for the birth of her son.

Worry, that’s another part of child birth. How will I do it? Am I ready? Will my child grow up to be an upstanding person? As a parent with a few years behind me, these fears do not go away. But Mary had no need to be concerned of this. Her son would be blameless and perfect. He would always give her the proper respect, love her perfectly, and love the people around Him perfectly. The fear she had was quickly soothed by Gabriel the angel who told her not to worry. As a parent, before and after childbirth I can tell you that even with faith in the Lord, sin still troubles my heart with doubt, and I could use an angel to set me straight from time to time as well.

Pride, that’s another part of having children. Nothing brings selfless pride into your heart like your child and Mary was a proud as any and rightfully so. In her song she praises God for His favor on her. Instead of the worry that most parents have, she instead says that God has done a great thing for her. Then she doesn’t stop at herself. She instead chooses to remind those around her, inspired by the Holy Spirit, knowing one day Luke would record these words. He looks with favor upon His servants. Those who are hungry or poor who put their faith in the Lord go away filled and rich. She reminds the Jews of the promises to Abraham and Israel stating that His Old Testament Covenants have been fulfilled, with her help in who the Lord blessed miraculously with the privilege of raising the most perfect child the world will ever know.

Mary wasn’t so different from you or I. She was a faithful servant of God. She trusted in His promises and look forward to redemption of all believers. She was sinful at times, she feared her burden of God’s calling, even if only for a moment and she was called home to Heaven, not to be the mother of God, rather as a brother and sister in His Heavenly Kingdom.

This Christmas season, take a look at the ways the Lord has divinely called you to serve Him in your daily life. Do not fear your responsibility! Look at your situation as a blessing and a privilege to serve your Heavenly Father. Remember the promises God has given you for your life and path to your home in His Kingdom.