In our preparation for this year’s Christmas program we wanted to begin the presentation where God began it: in Nazareth. The surprising announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she was to miraculously bear God’s own Son was the opening scene of all God was to give the world in Bethlehem. But much to our surprise, no such song existed. Not one Christmas carol that we could find was dedicated even slightly to that scene and so I wrote a simple song about the amazing news Mary heard on that day. I pray that this may be a blessing to you as well.
Mary
Songs of Christmas
“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 Luke 1:46-50
Christmas is about the songs God gives. Mary sang her song when she heard the news of the Child who was to be born. God sent a song with angels for shepherds and light for people in darkness. God chose Bethlehem, the city of the shepherd David whose songs make up the book of Psalms. I know a little of the darkness of barns and remember walking every morning to the barn across our dirt road long ago. I would first light a little stub of a candle and put it on the beam near the stall. Then I would put a little corn and hay into the feed-trough and gently wash the cow with the warm water that I had brought over in the milk pail. In a quiet and humble place just like that, our Lord Jesus was born among cattle and hay with maybe a barn cat or two to observe the scene. A young woman named Mary was giving birth in the stable with only Joseph by her side. In that moment the air was pierced by the music of the cry of one child who came to give His life for our world. If we tune our ears we will find that we can still hear that song of hope from the stable of Bethlehem 2000 years ago.
Joseph’s Faith
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. Luke 2:4 ESV
Often I lie awake the night before a trip turning over in my mind whether we have enough food, clothing, and money for the days ahead.
Amazingly in spite of so many things Joseph and Mary could have worried about, we don’t hear one single complaint from either one of them. The Bible is quite clear that they were not super-heroes, just ordinary people who put their trust in God. We often hear about Mary’s faith as she accepted God’s call, but Joseph had his own questions which he chose to answer by faith. Joseph had to decide if Mary was the right woman to marry. Later as he and Mary gathered their belongings for Bethlehem, he also had practical concerns to deal with. How would they safely bring their tax money along roadways where thieves laid in wait? Who would give them a place to stay? Should they return to Nazareth or make a new life in Bethlehem? Yet as they traveled together on a difficult road he went in faith because he had taken his questions and fears to God.
In what ways are you fearful about your future today? Do you wrestle with some doubts about God’s plan for your life? If you long to travel boldly on first bring God all your questions and then trust His answers. God knows the why and where of the road ahead. Trust Him with your doubts and run to Him with your fears. God has not chosen you because you are a super hero but because you are ordinary and God loves plain ordinary people!
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