One of the things that I love most about the Christmas season is the music. As soon as the holiday season rolls around, I can't wait to get out my Christmas CDs. What is your favorite Christmas song? Is it one of the beautiful Christmas carols such as "Silent Night" or "Away in a Manger?" Some might like one of the pop songs such as "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" or "Jingle Bells." Trying to choose your favorite Christmas song is a lot like trying to choose your favorite food. Just when you think you've made up your mind, you think of something else that you like.
With only a few days left until Christmas, we have a Bible lesson which gives us what I like to call, "The Greatest Christmas Song Ever!" The Bible tells us that after the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, she went to see her cousin, Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth saw Mary, she gave a glad cry and said to her, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said he would do."
Mary was filled with joy and began to offer up praise to God. We call this The Magnificat or "Mary's Song of Praise."
Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the LordHow beautiful! Mary, soon to be the mother of God's Son, giving praise to God because he has chosen her to bring his Son into the world. That is why I call it "The Greatest Christmas Song Ever."
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name."
I think I've got it -- my favorite Christmas song. I think my favorite Christmas song is "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come." No, I think it's "Angel's We Have Heard on High." Or maybe it's....oh, I give up! Let's pray.
God, our Heavenly Father, no matter what our favorite song may be, let it be a song of praise for your wonderful gift of love -- Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
