When I think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, there is a song that comes to mind:
(Lyrics)
Just a small-town girl, living in a lonely world.
And that’s where the similarity ends.
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
A few years ago, Pastor Judy served a church that hosted a living nativity on open ground near a high school and several neighborhoods. As the worship leader sang, the sound carried into the surrounding area.
Judy, donned in an orange safety vest for traffic duty, was approached by a woman who pulled up to the curb and rolled down her window. “Where is that girl who is singing?” the woman asked.
Judy pointed across the field to Emily. The woman replied, “I heard her singing carols and came outside to my porch to listen. I wondered if she was out there all alone, and I couldn’t stand that thought, so I came to sing with her.”
This is the season for singing about the birth of Jesus. Even more, it is the season to listen to the joy we hear around us and respond. Luke’s Gospel is filled with songs—from angels to an elderly priest, to a teenage girl—and once we hear the songs, we want to join in with our own joy.
Recap of Advent
During Advent, we have visited each Gospel author’s “home” to hear their perspective on the story of Jesus’ birth:
- Mark’s Home: A simple dwelling with a focus on Jesus’ mission to rescue us from sin through the cross. The only Christmas decoration here is the cross, reminding us of the purpose of His coming.
- Matthew’s Home: A large, imposing family home filled with portraits of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and David. Matthew reminds us of Jesus’ lineage and the covenant promises fulfilled. Even the outcasts and outsiders, represented by the four women in Jesus’ genealogy, are included in God’s plan of salvation.
- John’s Home: A unique space reaching back to the beginning of creation. John skips the details of Jesus’ birth but proclaims Him as the light of the world, the Creator who steps into our darkness to save us with His love.
Today, we arrive at Luke’s Home, a comfortable ranch house with a big porch, a yard filled with animals, and nativity sets in every room. Luke’s Gospel brings us the stable, the shepherds, and the angelic choir that announced the birth of Jesus.
The Songs of Luke’s Gospel
Do you hear the singing? The shepherds did! The night sky split open with the heavenly choir glorifying God and proclaiming peace. But Luke’s Gospel begins its songs earlier with Zechariah, a priest married to Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin. Childless and aging, they carried the weight of unfulfilled prayers and societal expectations.
One unremarkable day, while Zechariah fulfilled his priestly duties, an angel appeared to announce that Elizabeth would bear a son, John, who would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah doubted and was rendered speechless for the duration of the pregnancy. But when John was born, Zechariah’s voice returned, and he sang a prophetic song, the Benedictus:
“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited and redeemed his people.
He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,
just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago…
Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness…”
Mary’s Song
Before Zechariah’s song, Mary sang her own—the Magnificat:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Mary, a young girl from a small town, trusted in God’s promise without hesitation. Her song is one of faith, joy, and humility. While Zechariah, an experienced priest, doubted the angel’s message, Mary believed wholeheartedly. Perhaps we should take note of the quiet faith of younger generations.
The Mission of Jesus
The songs in Luke’s Gospel reveal the mission of Jesus: to preach good news to the poor, to release captives, to bring sight to the blind, and to liberate the oppressed. Luke highlights God’s faithfulness to the outcast, the sinner, and the forgotten.
Christmas is for Singing
Two Sundays ago, during our live nativity, we saw this mission come to life. Angels wrestled in the yard, shepherds played football, and guests enjoyed crafts, cookies, and hot drinks. About 500 people paused to hear the story and join in singing. It was a beautiful reminder that Christmas is for singing—and the songs don’t end on December 25.
Retail may stop playing carols, but we will keep singing. Don’t stop believing, and don’t stop singing!
What About You?
Can you sing to Jesus, even on hard days? Can you trust in the faithfulness of God?
The Lord does not abandon us. He remembers His covenant, and His love endures forever. The baby in the manger grew up to be our Savior, fully human and fully divine. At just the right time, Jesus came, fulfilling God’s promises and bringing salvation to the world.
Is Jesus your Savior? He can be. Pray, believe in Him as the Son of God, and ask Him to be your Savior. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, you can experience the joy of new life in Christ.
Hope has a name, and His name is Jesus.
With great joy, let us sing:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!
